The Cedar Falls Police Department will host the Black Hawk County Peace Officer Memorial Service this Wednesday, May 18th, at 10:00 at Overman Park in Cedar Falls.
The event honors the ultimate sacrifice made by those officers who have died in the line of duty serving the citizens of this county. The event is held annually by Black Hawk County law enforcement agencies. The guest speaker for the 2016 Memorial Service is Special Agent Randy Van Gent, F.B.I. retired. Van Gent served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 25 years, retiring in 2011.
Thirteen Black Hawk County Officers, Deputies, and Troopers have died in the line of duty since 1902. Six officers died as a result of injuries sustained after being shot with a weapon during an investigation or foot pursuit of suspects. Collisions and accidents claimed the lives of the other 7. Four of those were killed in car and motorcycle accidents while one died in a plane crash. One officer died of his injuries after being thrown from a horse-drawn buggy in 1902; another died when the fire truck he was riding on was struck by a train in 1945.
The names of the Fallen Officers and their law enforcement agencies are listed here:
Officer John E. Bailey, Waterloo Police Department, 1902
Officer Fred P. Widmann, Waterloo Police Department, 1908
Officer William Goodenbour, Waterloo Police Department, 1920
Officer Vinton J. Margretz, Waterloo Police Department, 1925
Deputy Wendell F. Dilworth, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, 1932
Officer Everett Dutcher, Cedar Falls Police Department, 1945
Officer William R. Melhorn, Waterloo Police Department, 1956
Officer Gabriel C. LaFromboise, LaPorte City Police Department, 1976
Officer Wayne R. Rice, Waterloo Police Department, 1981
Officer Michael W. Hoing, Waterloo Police Department, 1981
Deputy William F. Mullikin, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, 1981
Trooper Charles G. Whitney, Iowa State Patrol, 1985
Trooper Lance G. Dietsch, Iowa State Patrol, 1989
The event will be held regardless of the weather and the public is invited to attend.