For the first time in the history of the Iowa State Patrol, a woman will be promoted to the rank of captain today. Donna Bacus, a lieutenant for the moment, has been on the force 22 years and says she feels she’s perhaps not deserving of the new rank but will do her best as a captain.Bacus is a Knoxville native who entered the law enforcement academy in 1977, along with her sister, Kathy, who served as a state trooper for eight years. There are about 440 Iowa State Patrol officers, but only 13 are women. Bacus is single and says that’s been an advantage for her law enforcement career.Bacus was “on the street” for many years but now serves as executive assistant to the commissioner at the Public Safety headquarters in Des Moines. The double gold bars of the captain’s rank will be pinned on during today’s promotion ceremony at 9 a-m.
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