‘Hometown heroes’ featured on Fareway semi-trailer

Grocery store chain gives a salute to the service with larger-than-life decals of Jasper County first responders

By Christopher Braunschweig

Several familiar faces can be found on the side of a semi-trailer truck from Fareway Meat & Grocery. Service members and first-responders from Jasper County were featured prominently on the trailer, the pictures of which were shared by the county sheriff’s office earlier this spring.

Jasper County Chief Deputy Duane Rozendaal, Jasper County Deputy Marc Headington, Newton Fire Captain Steve Ashing and Newton firefighter and paramedic Jacob Halferty were some of the many “hometown heroes” displayed on both sides of the trailer wearing their respective gear.

In 2017, Fareway first unveiled a series of semi-trucks honoring public service members throughout the state.

The trailers at the time showcased photographs of 24 members from various branches of public service, including the Iowa National Guard, Iowa State Troopers and local law enforcement agencies.

Hometown Heroes

CONTINUED FROM 6

The salute to service was presented by Fareway and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. Fareway CEO Reynolds W. Cramer said at the time that the company wanted to show its appreciation to public services members’ commitment to protecting our freedoms.

“These trailers are a tribute to the great men and women serving Iowa and we thank them for their service,” Cramer said in a press release.

Reynolds commended first responders for making significant contributions to the state and its people, and she applauded their “tireless efforts” and sacrifices made by their families. Gregg appreciates Iowa companies like Fareway recognizing the importance of public service men and women.

According to Fareway’s website, the grocery store chain regularly partners with service member and first responder groups like Impact Iowa’s Heroes, Midwest Honor Flight, Operation Homefront and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Jasper County Sheriff Deputy Marc Headington selected the 2023 Law Enforcement Employee of the Year

By Jamee A. Pierson

Long before Jasper County Sheriff Deputy Marc Headington put on the badge he knew he wanted to serve. Since becoming a police officer and now a sheriff deputy, Headington has continued that pursuit and through his work he has been named the 2023 Law Enforcement Employee of the Year.

“I have kind of always had a call to serve, felt like a protector,” Headington said. “As a senior in high school, Van Meter is very small with K-12 in one building, I knew a fourth-grader who had his bike stolen and I felt compelled to figure out where it went. I eventually did find it.”

In his early adult life, he met the Van Meter Chief of Police and felt law enforce- ment was the right fit. From there, he never looked back.

He began as a reserve peace officer in 1993 before starting full time as a police officer in the community of Afton in 1996. After a short stay there, he moved to Colfax where he was on the force until starting with the sheriff’s office in August 2002.

Through his 21 years as a deputy, Headington has served as a field training officer, firearms instructor, tactical team leader, animal control deputy and with the Honor Guard. According to his nomination paper, as a senior deputy, he “mentors and provides guidance to his fellow deputies. He leads by example with law enforcement safety and legal updates and

Employee of the Year

CONTINUED FROM 8 by physical fitness.

“He has honed his ability to deescalate and work through challenging situations with the citizens that we serve. He has routinely responded to incidents and calls for assistance when off duty.”

Though there are many experiences Headington has had on the job, one routine stop still sticks out as a memory of why he wanted to serve in the first place.

“One highlight that stands out was when there was a snow storm and I was working late evenings. A mom and her young sons slid off the road on High- way F48 near the drive-in theater and went into the ditch,” Headington said. “I showed up, there was no one injured but their car was stuck in the snow, and I helped them get out of the car. I don’t know how old the boy was but when he got to the top of the road he just hugged my leg. It is just one of those things that was a routine call for me at that moment for him seemed like everything in his world was shaken up. For him to anchor to me, that always kind of stuck with me. It is one of the few times you get active feedback on the job that maybe you’re doing alright.”

About being nominated for Law Enforcement Employee of the Year, he said he could think of a list of reasons for every other person he works with to receive the honor.

“It is flattering. From my perspective, I just show up, do what is asked of me, be as professional as I can at any given moment and try to be fair and consistent,” Headington said. “Anyone at the sheriff’s office will tell you I’m not subtle, if I’m thinking something I’ll probably say it. To know my peers are willing to nominate me for this is flattering. I could list everyone else why they should be getting it.”

Those that he has worked with along the way have made a big impression on him and will be what he misses and remembers most once he hangs up his badge.

“The guys I’ve worked with over the years, they are the high point,” Headington said. “When I call it a career it will be those folks that I miss, the other cops, the jailers, the dispatchers, the firefighters, they are just a solid group of folks.”