Thursday, May 23, 2024
Vol. 5, No. 40
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
Class of 2024 awarded for hard work throughout school career By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
Thousands of dollars in scholarship money was awarded to seniors in the PCM Class of 2024 during the annual scholarship and awards night May 15. Friends and family gathered to congratulate the students as they move closer to finishing their time at PCM
‘Take the world as you find it, but leave it a better place’
PCM Class of 2024 celebrates graduation May 19
Scholarships and awards presented: • Altar & Rosary Society, Immaculate Conception Parish $200: Samantha McDonald • American Legion Fred Slayden Post 363 $500: Nate Richards • American Legion Fred Slayden Post 363 Riders $500: Carter Burns AWARDS | 10
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
‘Make it worth the price we pay’ Sheriff reinforces the message of National Police Week at annual ceremony By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Surrounded by local law enforcement officers and support staff gathered on the north lawn of the county courthouse for the annual National Police Week ceremony, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty held back tears when recalling the on-duty and line of duty deaths of fallen comrades. During the time that the six fallen officers served, Halferty was alive and living in Jasper County. However, as a child he had no recollection of the deaths of reserve deputy Howard Holdefer in 1973 and officer Donald “Rusty” Hewitt in 1977, nor the death of officer Bobby Barrickman death in 1979. In September 1985,
Halferty recalled being on a date with his college sweetheart on a football Friday night. As they drove into Newton, Halferty was shocked by the presence of a large contingent of law enforcement officers. Many were armed with long guns. They were posted at Highway 14, First Avenue and Hy-Vee West. “Kendra and I had plans to go to Pizza Hut but we drove to my parent’s house where I was living,” he said. “My mom, Melba, was a scanner fan and she quickly filled me in that a Newton officer had been shot in an armed robbery that evening in the Hy-Vee store. I remember we stayed up all night glued to the scanner.” Officer Daniel McPherren did not survive his CEREMONY | 3
All in for a night of fun
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Members of the Honor Guard participate in the National Police Week Ceremony on May 16 outside the Jasper County Courthouse in Newton.
Georgia Pierce, of Colfax, introduced herself as “the one and only” daughter of Howard Holdefer before pointing out the rest of her big family. Sons, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandchildren. A dozen names. The whole lot showed up to honor Holdefer’s memory at a bridge dedication ceremony last week in Reasnor. It was a solemn reminder of the true loss that happens when a law enforcement officer makes the ultimate sacrifice, like Holdefer did. On Oct. 30, 1973, Holdefer suffered a heart attack when assisting the arrests of three individuals. Some of the family members who attended the dedication ceremony did not even get a chance to meet him. Jeremy Holdefer, a grandson, only knew about him through the stories his father would tell him. Even without having any personal memories of Holdefer, Jeremy played a big role in pushing for a bridge dedication for his grandfather. With a little help from the highway department and Jasper DEDICATION | 9
Q&A covered qualifications, party relevance, drug problems and more By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
est. 1851
Jasper County names bridge after reserve deputy who died on duty in 1973
Republican candidates for Jasper County sheriff participate in forum
PCM Elementary Schools celebrate the end of the school year with Fun Night May 17
A publication of
MEMORIAL BRIDGE DEDICATION
Three Republican candidates running for sheriff of Jasper County participated in a party-organized forum this week. Since the local Democratic Party does not have any of its own candidates running for the seat, the results of the primary election on June 4 will, in all likelihood, decide who will be the next sheriff. Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty will be retiring from a nearly 40-year career in law enforcement at the end of the year. In the running to take over his spot are Republican candidates
Lt. Brad Shutts and Sgt. Tracy Cross of the Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office and Colfax Police Chief Jeremy Burdess. Candidates gathered inside the chapel of the St. Luke United Methodist Church, whose parking lot in the 500 block of East 19th Street North was completely full of cars. The room was similarly filled to the brim with an attentive audience eagerly awaiting answers to their submitted questions. WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO BE SHERIFF? Shutts has been exposed to law enforcement all his life. His father was a deputy for 29 years and he grew up in that lifestyle. It was a
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Burdess
Cross
profession he felt he had a good sense for, and he always felt the need to help others. Shutts pursued his career as a reserve, a dispatcher and a jailer while working through college. “I worked with numerous amounts of law enforcement — family, friends — throughout the years. Troopers, city police officers, fire-
Shutts
men, EMTs. It’s kind of shaped my whole life in law enforcement,” Shutts said. “I have a good sense for the people and their needs and I’m open to talk to.” Cross entered into his career in law enforcement by making sure he focused on paying attention to the things his FORUM | 10
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