CORALVILLE, IOWA – On May 25, 2017, Acting United States Attorney Sean R. Berry of the Northern District of Iowa and United States Attorney Kevin VanderSchel of the Southern District of Iowa presented awards to numerous Iowa law enforcement officers at the 31st Annual Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee’s Executive Training Conference. The awards are presented to law enforcement officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to make our community safer.
Awards were given to four groups of law enforcement officers:
- The Cedar Rapids Safe Streets initiative, comprised of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was honored for its work in identifying and prosecuting the most violent offenders in Cedar Rapids. Through a concerted, proactive, long-term effort, the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets initiative utilized the expertise of multiple agencies and targeted the most violent actors in the community. In a single year, this initiative resulted in the indictment of ten individuals, seven of whom have been convicted and sentenced for a total of more than 44 years.
- The Des Moines Police Department, Ames Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were honored for their work in investigating a string of robberies in the Des Moines area in 2016. As a result of the tireless efforts of numerous officers, on April 28, 2017, the ring-leader of the robbery crew, Alexander Hamilton, pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and admitted to committing 17 robberies from March 2016 to April 2016, included robberies of Git-N-Go (10); Kum & Go (3); Hy-Vee (3); and U.S. Bank (1). Three other individuals, Sarah Coe, Shelly Avery, and Chris Avery, pled guilty to aiding and abetting the robberies. All defendants are scheduled to be sentenced this summer. Each faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
- Officers from the Sioux City Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Sheriff’s Office were honored for their work in investigating the brutal murder of Tony Canfield in 2011 as he attempted to escape armed robbers holding him and his wife captive. In 2016, Courtland Clark, from Flowery Branch, Georgia, Robert Beaver from Sioux City, Iowa, and Devery Hibbler from Dumas, Arkansas, were each convicted of one count of interference with commerce by robbery in relation to the murder. In addition, Clark and Hibbler also pled guilty to one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death. Hibbler was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. Clark, who supplied the gun for the robbery, was sentenced to 21 years. Finally, Beaver was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment.
- Members of the Iowa City Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Coralville Police Department, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Johnson County Drug Task Force were honored for their work in combating heroin trafficking in Iowa City. Beginning in and around December 2015, the Iowa City/Coralville area saw an increase in heroin-related deaths and overdoses. Through the coordinated efforts of nine separate law enforcement agencies, six arrests were made, resulting in six convictions for trafficking in heroin. Investigators believed the heroin distributed by this conspiracy was associated with at least six heroin related deaths or overdoses. As a result of this investigation and subsequent convictions, the Iowa City/Coralville area saw a significant decline in heroin related deaths and overdoses.
All of the law enforcement officers honored have gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist crime victims and make the community a safer place. Because of their dedication, long hours, and commitment to service, our communities are better places.
