July of 1981

Deputies Hoing and Rice

Late in the evening of July 12, 1981, Waterloo Police Officers Michael Hoing and Wayne Rice were dispatched to a home answering a routine call on a loud stereo. Moments later both Hoing and Rice lost their lives in the line of duty, gunned down by the suspect in the front yard of the residence. The suspect fled on foot. A massive manhunt ensued.

Law Enforcement from across the state of Iowa converged on Black Hawk County to assist in the manhunt.

Deputy Mullikin

On July 14, 1981, Black Hawk County Sergeant William Mullikin and another man lost their lives in a two-car accident during this manhunt.

The manhunt came to an end with the arrest of the suspect on  July 17, 1981, in a bean field outside La Porte City, Iowa.

We have made this blog to remember the officers who lost their lives while serving our community in the fatal month of July 1981.

Below you will find photos from news clippings from the surrounding areas and newspapers.

Deputies riding on car with guns

Deputies and Law Enforcement search the fields of Black Hawk County looking for signs of the suspect.

Officers trying to pry open a car

Waterloo Police and County Deputies work to pry open the car in which Deputy Sgt. William Mullikin died, and two other Deputies were injured.

The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc.
"Remembering all of law enforcement's heroes!"