Governor Tom Vilsack and Public Safety Commissioner Kevin Techau (Teck-ow) led a ceremony today (Tuesday) in Des Moines to honor Iowa law officers killed in the line of duty.
While no Iowa law officers lost their lives in the line of duty in the past year, Techau honored an officer that was killed 80 years ago, but left off the peace officer memorial when it was dedicated in 1985. Techau says Marshal Frank Mommer was killed in 1925 while investigating a burglary in Traer.
Governor Vilsack spoke about the dedication of the officers. Vilsack says the state has lost 132 officers through the years and says the state is “fortunate and thankful” we did not lose an officer this year. Techau and Vilsack placed a wreath at the memorial in honor of all the fallen officers.