PAYING TRIBUTE ber, 292, was retired by the Prairie City City Council. A memorial was also formed around his police vehicle featuring balloons with his badge number, flowers, Batman figures, notes and mementos in honor of the fallen officer prior to his funeral. German joins the five officers who previously gave their lives in the line of duty. They include: Lieutenant Patrick Richardson joined the Newton Police Department July 28, 1990. He was promoted to lieutenant May 10, 2010. Lieutenant Richardson suffered a fatal heart attack Sept. 1, Richardson 2013, when he was exercising for the department’s agility
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Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice test. Officer Bobby Barr i c k m a n joined the Newton Police Department July 1, 1974. Officer Barrickman was killed Sept. 30, 1979, in a Barrickman traffic accident while on duty. Officer Dan McPherren joined the Newton Police Department Dec. 4, 1973. Officer McPherren was shot and killed Sept. 13, 1985, when McPherren he responded with other officers to a robbery at a grocery store.
Officer Donald Rusty Hewitt served the Prairie City Police Department until the time of his death Dec. 3, 1977. Officer Hewitt Hewitt was killed in an automobile accident during a high-speed pursuit. Reserve Captain Howard Holdefer served the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office until the time of his death Oct. 30, 1973. Reserve Captain Holdefer Holdefer suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting other deputies in the arrest of three individuals near Reasnor.
File Photo Local law enforcement guards march down a sidewalk carrying flags during a 2019 Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony held on the Jasper County Courthouse lawn.
A group that no one ever wants to grow, the fallen officers of Jasper County gained a new member with the loss of Prairie City Police Chief Mike G er man. German died of complications from COVID-19 Jan. 13. German German served in the Prairie City Police Department since 2014, taking over
as police chief following the departure of former chief Joe Bartello in 2020. His death was considered a line of duty death. “We are deeply saddened with the passing of Chief German, our thoughts and prayers go out to Angi and the rest of his family,” former Prairie City Mayor Chad Alleger said. “I personally will miss our many conversations, laughs and his love for our community. May he Rest In Peace.” To commemorate his time on the force, his badge num-
File Photo Newton Police Officers walk by wreaths holding portraits of Officer Bobby Barrickman and Lt. Patrick Richardson, both of whom died on active duty, during a 2019 Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony
