DALLAS COUNTY, IOWA – Iowa law enforcement encountered a speeding driver out of Wisconsin in a stolen vehicle and were forced to gun the suspect down when he fired a bullet at a deputy.
On April 15, 2025, at approximately 1:34 AM, law enforcement investigated a traffic complaint near the 104 mile marker of Interstate 80 in Dallas county, Iowa.
During the course of the investigation, the suspect in the complaint, without provocation, fired multiple shots at law enforcement. Following the initial gunfire, additional units from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Adel Police Department, and more deputies from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to assist. Officers on scene were fired upon several more times before returning fire. The suspect was ultimately struck and pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased suspect in this investigation was later identified as 51-year-old Vonderrick Rayford (pictured at top) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Police also explained that Rayford was initially stopped for excessive speeding. During the course of the routine traffic stop, he exited his vehicle and opened fire on a Dallas County Deputy. A brief standoff ensued, during which additional law enforcement officers responded to assist. Subsequent investigation revealed that the vehicle Rayford was driving had been reported stolen out of Colorado. The firearm used in the incident was also determined to be stolen. Additionally, Rayford had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Wisconsin.
The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting a thorough and independent investigation into the incident. The name of the involved Officers/Deputies were withheld at this time pending notification requirements and the ongoing investigative process.