DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety received a resignation letter from Michael Haugen, former Sergeant of the Iowa DPS’s Iowa State Patrol out of the Mason City post.
Haugen’s resignation letter ends the Department’s process to terminate his employment. The Department filed a notice of intent to terminate employment with the Employment Appeal Board on May 6, 2016. Hague, age 31, had 30 days to appeal the notice of intent, but instead resigned.
No further information related to the notice of intent to terminate will be released because this is a confidential personnel matter.
Haugen began his employment as a Trooper with the Department on May 31, 2006. He was promoted to sergeant on August 28, 2015. He was placed on administrative leave beginning on March 25, 2016 for 30 days, and that leave was extended on April 25, 2016.
Resignation letter:
It is with great regret that I am resigning from the Iowa State Patrol. This is a career that I aspired to from a young age; I enjoyed serving the public, and will miss it greatly. I am thankful for the opportunity I had making a positive difference for people in our communities, the varied assignments in which I was able to participate, and the bond with fellow officers. With that said, at this point, I need to focus on my health and family.
I would like to use this as an opportunity to build awareness about the opioid addiction crisis in the United States. Each year, 28,000 people die of opioid overdoses. I am fortunate not to be one of them. I became addicted to opioids after battling ulcerative colitis for the past 9 years and C-diff for the past 2 years. Opioids are incredibly effective at reducing pain…but are also highly addictive and dangerous. My addiction negatively impacted my family, friends, co-workers and others and I’m taking responsibility for my actions. I am moving forward and want to prevent others from going through my experience. I encourage anyone taking opioids for medical conditions to be aware of their addictive nature and to work your doctors regarding the same. I would also stress the importance of friends, family, and co-workers to lookout for signs of dependence on opioids before it is too late. This is a growing epidemic that can be reduced with education and awareness.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve this great state.
Michael Haugen
Thinkgood you won I won’t even respond to that. FOADB
Shame on you soldier. Not an honorable comment .
I hope you read this Sgt. When your down at the bottom you really only have three choices in life. Stay where your at, dig your self in deeper, or dig your self out. Now is the time in your life where your true character will be reviled. I suggest you dig your self out. Beat your addiction and turn your life around. Other will forgive you of your addiction and you can help other cops or civilians overcome this horrible addiction. Never stop fighting!
“think good and anne mouse” you two are the typical no everything but dont know shit, I served in the gulf war was injured and yes i do take pain meds but I follow the plan, no different than taking heart meds for life, I dont abuse them. Kinda like having gastric bypass surgery for over wieght but then you eat yourself into a big fat ass again, if you follow the plan things do work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t KNOW everything. I do know that people who are not addicted don’t have to defend their behaviour. The fact you served in the gulf war, iraq war, or star wars for that matter, doesn’t excuse you from any behaviour that you may be eluding to. You claim you are not addicted? Good for you. You are so much better that others. We are tickled you took the time to point that out to us.
You have to be a abusive asshole if you are a trooper. Maybe he was mellowing out to much.
There is more to it people, there is also a criminal investigation looming regarding this individual.
Addicts like him belong in prison, not out and about carrying guns.
Looks like a solid employee of the people and state will be lost here. The State should have put him through re-hab and steered him back on course.
He was in rehab.
I’ve been on pain meds since I was injured in Saudia Arabia 1991. I take a low dose pain medication and I have never failed a DOT piss test or blood test. I control my pain and to be honest I know I’m not addicted to them, but I dont abuse them either. Once you start taking more then what is needed your body starts to crave more. opioid s are like meth, herion and booze you need more and more to feel better.
So you have been on pain meds for a quarter of a century…..but you’re not addicted. Also I would like to know how much meth, heroin, or booze your ANY body “needs”. You sound like a functioning addict to me.
Good observation.. He/she is in clinical denial, a major characteristic of addictive behavior.
I admire Haugen for revealing his addiction to the public, that took alot of courage n honesty. Good luck to u and Thank u for your service.
This is a shame. He reportedly was a good officer who just got hooked on pain relievers. It seem like something could have been done to save his career. The state had a lot invested in his training and now it is all gone.
Good luck officer Haugen. We are all human. Hoping this is the first step of getting a new start.
Thank you for your service and more especially your courage in bringing the issue of addiction before the public at great personal risk and sacrifice. We wish you well in your journey forward.