Rural Keokuk County Shooting leaves 1 Officer and the Suspect Dead

Sheriff Paul DeGeest of Mahaska County (left) and Iowa State Trooper Marlow (right) talk with the press concerning a rural Keokuk County shooting. Shortly before noon on April 4th, 2011, 3 officers with the Keokuk County Sheriffs Office went to a rural residence Southwest of Sigourney, Iowa to make contact with a resident there. The officers took gunfire from the suspect, with one officer being struck; dying from his wounds. The remaining 2 officers were not injured and retreated until back-up could arrive to assist them.

Officers from many municipalities, including City, County and State assets, arrived to assist those officers in need of help.

Trooper Marlow stated that shortly before 3 p.m. the situation was resolved upon the death of the suspect.

Trooper Marlow went on to assure residents that all is now safe and that the situation is secure.

Rural Keokuk County residence that appears to have been the scene of today's shootout.

The names of those involved were not released at the time of the press conference, due to the continued investigation.

According to sources, only the suspect was in the residence at the time of the shooting. No others were reported wounded during the nearly 3 hour stand-off.

Sheriff Paul DeGeest, of Mahaska County, helped to answer questions during the press conference, as the Keokuk County Sheriff was busy with statements at the time. Jamey Robinson of Mahaska Emergency Management was there to help assist and support the operation.

In a statement released by Governor Branstad, on the standoff in Keokuk County today,he said, “Unfortunately, today again served as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by our brave men and women in law enforcement. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ family and friends, and all those affected by one man’s senseless act of violence today.”