2017 honoring ceremony

Susan Farrell

Police Officer | Des Moines Police Department

EOW: 03/26/16

Police Officer Susan Ferrell and Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales were killed when their patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way on I-80. They were transporting a prisoner from Council Bluffs back to Des Moines when the crash occurred. Both officers, the prisoner, and the driver of the other vehicle were killed. Officer Ferrell had served with Des Moines PD for only five months and had previously served the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. She leaves behind a husband and one child.

Justin MArtin

Patrolman | Urbandale Police Department

EOW: 11/02/16

Patrolman Justin Martin was shot and killed from an ambush while sitting in his patrol car shortly after 1:00 AM. Patrolman Martin was at 70th St. and Aurora Ave. when a subject approached his vehicle and opened fire without warning, shooting into the driver’s side and later ambushing Sergeant Anthony Beminio. Patrolman Martin had served with the Urbandale PD for 15 months.

CArlos Puente-Morales

Police Officer | Des Moines Police Department

EOW: 03/26/16

Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales and Police Officer Susan Ferrell were killed when their patrol car was struck head-on by a drunk driver going the wrong way on I-80. They were transporting a prisoner from Council Bluffs back to Des Moines when the crash occurred. Both officers, the prisoner, and the driver of the other vehicle were killed. Officer Puente-Morales had served with the Des Moines PD for five months and previously with the Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Ottumwa PD. He was also a member of the Army National Guard.

Anthony beminio

Sergeant | Des Moines Police Department

EOW: 11/02/16

Sergeant Anthony Beminio was shot and killed from an ambush while sitting in his patrol; car shortly after 1:00 am. The same subject that ambushed Patrolman Justin Martin approached Sergeant Beminio’s patrol car and ambushed him at Merle Hay Rd. and Sheridan Ave. Sergeant Beminio had served with the Des Mones PD for 11 years. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Shawn Miller

Sergeant | West Des Moines Police Department

EOW: 08/03/16

Sergeant Shawn Miller was killed in a motorcycle crash while returning from court after testifying in a hit-and-run case at the Dallas Co. Courthouse. Sergeant Miller was an Iowa National Guard veteran. He had served the West Des Moines PD for 16 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. He had previously served with the Iowa Department of Corrections. He leaves behind a wife and three children.