Community Shows Support for Fallen Hero

Members of the Mahaska County Sheriffs Office helped to serve up biscuits and gravy to 500 residents at the May 1st benefit.

The Mahaska County Sheriffs Office and the Mahaska County Posse joined forces to help raise money for a memorial plaque for fallen Keokuk County Deputy Eric Stein.

The event was held at the American Legion in Oskaloosa, located at 302 High Ave East, starting at 7 a.m. and going until noon. Nearly 500 people attended the breakfast that served up biscuits and gravy. The event was also one of those moments in time that helps to heal a community.

Keokuk County Sheriff Jeff Shipley was there to spend time not only remembering his friend, but to show support to those there to help make a lasting memorial to Stein possible. “It just shows how much support there is, not only in our county but in other counties as well, and I think it’s not only a tribute to Eric (Stein) but a tribute to the people we serve in Southeast Iowa and how big of hearts they have. Just great people and it makes you proud to live down in this area.” Shipley said, commenting on the large turnout that continued to come and go all morning.

“The day of (shooting) was probably the saddest and proudest day I’ve had in 23 years of law enforcement all in one day because of my deputies actions out there, not only my deputies, every law enforcement agency around was there as fast as humanly possible throwing every resource they had to help get us out. That’s some true men right there, and some heroes.” Shipley said of the day, of the shooting, that took the life of his friend. Shipley finish by saying, “I can’t express how much I appreciate the people I work with.”

Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson is seen talking it up with Mahaska County Deputies Matt McCain (left) and Deputy Doug McMillan at Sunday's benefit breakfast for Eric Stein

Mahaska County Deputy Trevor Wells said that the idea for the benefit started one day with a conversation between himself and his wife. After bringing the idea to different members within the Sheriffs Office and to Sheriff Paul DeGeest, everyone helped to pitch in to get this organized and lined up quickly. “We wanted to do it fairly early before other activities got started, and it was kind of a good timing as well.” Wells said of deciding when to have the benefit.

Wells said that proceeds from the benefit were going to be used for a memorial plaque that will be affixed to a rock at the Keokuk County Sheriffs Office in Sigourney. This rock holds special meaning to the Stein family. As a young boy, Eric had attempted to dig this rock out of a field. After digging for some time by hand, its removal was finally achieved with the use of a bulldozer. The rock was then placed in the families yard where Eric played on or around it from those early days. That rock is being moved to the Keokuk County Sheriff’s office, and the memorial plaque will then be affixed to the rock.

Wells also wanted to make sure to thank everyone that helped to sponsor and or provided food or supplies to help make it the success that it was.