2017 honorees
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.
2018 Honorees
MARK BURBRIDGE
Deputy Sheriff | Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office
EOW: 05/01/17
Deputy Sheriff Mark Burbridge was shot and killed at the Pottawattamie County Jail, in Council Bluffs, as he and another deputy returned two inmates to the jail after a court appearance. Deputy Burbridge had served with the Pottawattamie Co. Sheriff’s Office for 12 years. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
STEVEN BUSER
Firefighter | Ames Fire Department
EOW: 03/17/17
Steve died suddenly on March 17, 2017 at Fire Station 2 in Ames. He had just completed a 24-hour shift and was working out in the station gym. Steve is survived by his wife Angie and his daughter Braxton.
2019 Honorees
TOM HENRICH
Fire Chief | Earling Volunteer Fire Department
EOW: 10/20/18
Chief Tom Henrich collapsed at the scene of a fire outside of Earling and later died at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Chief Henrich served the Earling Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years and served as fire chief for the last 10 years. He was instrumental in training the firefighters and EMTs of the future as an EMT and CPR instructor. He leaves behind a wife and four adult children.
ERIC HOSETTE
Lieutenant | Clinton Fire Department
EOW: 01/05/19
Lieutenant Eric Hosette was killed while fighting a fire at an agricultural facility in Clinton. Eric had a passion for fire and EMS services which he lived out every day being both a career fire Lieutenant as well as a volunteer Fire Chief. Eric was certified in numerous areas of fire and EMS including FFI, FFII, pump operator, aerial operator, fire officer I, fire office II, fire instructor I, fire investigator I, and was a paramedic. Eric is survived by his wife and daughter.