Mahaska County Reserves Honor Two Veteran Reserves for 50 Years of Service

Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem (left), Dennis Dursky (center holding rifle), and Verlan Uitermarkt (seated) talk during a ceremony recognizing the years of service by Dursky and Uitermarkt on Sunday afternoon.

OSKALOOSA, IA – In a ceremony held on Sunday, December 17th, at 2 pm, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Reserve Unit paid tribute to two of its longest-serving reserve deputies, Dennis Dursky and Verlan Uitermarkt, for their 50 years of service.

The event, at the Mahaska County Environmental Learning Center, saw members of the law enforcement community, friends, and family gather to honor the duo’s remarkable career milestones.

Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem led the ceremony, expressing his gratitude and admiration for the two deputies. “We appreciate you all – the friends, family members, co-workers of Verlan, and Dennis,” Van Renterghem said. He reflected on the significant tenure of Dursky and Uitermarkt, noting that they served under five different sheriffs, a testament to their enduring commitment to the department and the community.

As a symbolic gesture of appreciation, challenge coins, wood plaques, and Henry Lever Action Rifles were presented to Dursky and Uitermarkt. These items are recognized as traditional honors in law enforcement circles, symbolizing respect and gratitude for service.

The Sheriff also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the families of the honorees, underscoring the impact of law enforcement service on officers’ loved ones. He mentioned family members by name, recognizing the support and sacrifices made by these families over the years.

The ceremony was not just a commemoration of Dursky and Uitermarkt’s professional achievements but also a celebration of their personal dedication to Mahaska County’s safety and well-being. Their five-decade-long careers have seen them assist numerous deputies and serve countless citizens and visitors in the county.

Dursky, reflecting on his five decades of service, shared his experiences and the evolution of his role. “Well, there’s 50 years went awful fast,” he began, hinting at the swift passage of time. His remarks painted a vivid picture of a career dedicated to public safety and community engagement.

When I got in 50 years ago, my boys were pretty small,” Dursky recalled, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made. He spoke about his job’s immediacy and urgency when the Sheriff called, “I’ll be there. 10-15 minutes [to] be ready. No matter what, you just took off.”

The fun and banter from both Dennis and Verlan continued into the ceremony when Dennis said Verlan “taught me all the bad things.”

Verlan responded to Dennis, saying, “First of all, you can’t teach Dennis.”

They then discussed the many transports they took part in all around the area and the United States, going as far as Oregon to transport a prison back to Iowa.

They also spoke about the many nights on patrol in Mahaska County, a requirement of posse members back when they first started.

The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Association can trace its history back to 1962 under the guidance of Sheriff Walter Tharp. Today, it is more commonly known as the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Posse or Mahaska County Sheriff’s Reserves.

This posse plays a multifaceted role in the community, assisting with various activities, sponsoring events, and managing crowd control at special events, including the county fair.

The selection criteria for posse members during its formation were distinctively straightforward: candidates were required to be citizens in good standing, own a horse, and possess a revolver. Certification of the posse was a simple process, merely notifying the state authorities.

Today, the Posse and Reserves still serve the community at various events and help with other activities such as patrol, prisoner transports, and other duties the Sheriff assigns.

Reserves are now certified through the State of Iowa as law enforcement, a departure from when the posse was initially formed.