History:
Pottawattamie County was established on February 24, 1847. Pottawattamie County evolved out of the Pottawattamie Purchase of 1847. It was named for the Indian tribe that once possessed the Iowa Territory. The name is an Indian term meaning "Blowers of Fire", "Keepers of the Council Fires" or "Makers of Fire".
The county commissioners proposed Kanesville and Pleasant Grove, about 8 miles apart, for the county seat. At an election held April 7, 1851, all but seven votes were cast for Kanesville, named for Colonel Kane of Philadelphia. Council Bluffs was previously known as Hart's Bluff and then Miller's Hollow before it became Kanesville. Hyde's New Hall at Kanesville, which was renamed Council Bluffs on January 19, 1853, was used for several years for the court house.
A two-story court house, constructed of stone and brick was finally built between 1866 and 1868 at Council Bluffs, at a cost of about $50,000.00. An election was held March 10, 1885 to decide on a bond issue for the purpose of building a new $150,000 court house and a $30,000 jail. The bond issue passed with a vote of 5,232 for and 2,933 against. The county accepted the white limestone building on February 15, 1888. In the fall of this same year, the electric street railway between Council Bluffs and Omaha was completed.
On August 22, 1973, Pottawattamie County voters approved a $2.5 million bond issue for the construction of a new county court house and jail on a vote of 4,819 to 1,215 or 79% approval. Additional funds for the $4.5 million project were obtained from a federal jail construction grant and from federal revenue sharing funds. Upon completion of the 5-story building, located west and south of the court house grounds, the 1888 court house was torn down to make room for a parking lot.
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Deputies killed in the line of duty:
There have been two Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Deputies killed in the line of duty, during the 154-year history of the Sheriff's Office.
The first tragic loss, according to the local newspaper, The Daily Nonpareil, occurred on March 25, 1911. Deputy Clarence Woolman, who was transporting prisoner, Dr. H. D. Kelly, to an asylum in Knoxville, Iowa. Deputy Woolman stopped at a Des Moines hotel to sleep for the night. Instead of incarcerating Dr. Kelly at the Polk County Jail Deputy Woolman allowed Dr. Kelly to stay in his room. While Deputy Woolman slept, Dr. Kelly took Deputy Woolman's gun and shot him to death. Dr. Kelly went to the nearest saloon and demanded a drink. The bartender, named Sterzing, refused. Sterzing was also shot to death by Dr. Kelly. Dr. Kelly was arrested for the murders, but by all accounts available he never served any prison time or received any punishment for the murders.
On October 8, 1981, in Minden, Iowa, Chief Deputy Duane Otto was fatally injured when a roof of a porch fell on him as deputies were entering a home of a man who was threatening to kill his wife and threatening suicide. Sheriff Lynn Ford described Duane Otto as "a friend, mentor and the driving force in making the Sheriff's Office what it was" and that Otto "was the absolute best in the State of Iowa". Chief Deputy Otto was the President of the Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputies Association at the time of his death. Duane Otto was admired and respected by many across the State of Iowa.
Prominent Sheriffs:
Prominent Sheriffs who affected the most change in Pottawattamie County after September 21, 1848
Sheriff William S. Townsend (1848) held Pottawattamie County's first election. As a result of the election, the county was organized. Judge Carlton appointed Sheriff Townsend for the purpose of organizing the county. Without this, future elections could not have been held. Sheriff Townsend held office for a very short time.
Sheriff Dr. Seth H. Craig (1859 - 1861) was appointed Sheriff in August of 1859, but resigned in 1861 to enter General Dodge's regiment in the Fourth Iowa where he later became Captain of Company B. Sheriff Seth also served two terms as warden at the penitentiary at Fort Madison, Iowa.
Sheriff Homer H. Field (1865 - 1867) served with distinction during the Mexican War. Also, serving as the Provost Marshall he conducted the first and only Civil War draft held in Pottawattamie County on November 5, 1864. During Field's term as Sheriff, General Sherman and Sheridan who visited Council Bluffs accompanied General Ulysses S. Grant, who was running for the Presidency. Sheriff Field later served as Chief of Police in Council Bluffs from 1881-1884. In January of 1892, he was elected to the Board of Education.
Sheriff Roy O. Wichael (05/01/1960 - 06/30/1975) was recognized for modernizing the Sheriff's Office by employing twenty-two deputies and eighteen special deputies during his fifteen years as Sheriff. Sheriff Wichael is noted for carrying out the execution of Charles E. Brown in 1962, who was one of the last men to be hanged in Iowa. Sheriff Wichael also witnessed the hanging of Brown's accomplice, Charles Kelly. Both men were convicted of murdering a Walnut, Iowa man. Sheriff Wichael died at the age of 73 on June 30, 1975.
Sheriff Lynn G. Ford (08/15/1975 - 09/01/1983) was a former Trooper with the Iowa State Patrol who is credited with bringing 24-hour patrols to the county. Sheriff Ford was also responsible for running the jail that was built in the new court house in 1977. Also in 1977, Sheriff Ford established the county's multi-channel radio system complete with NCIC and teletype capabilities. Sheriff Ford developed the Sheriff's Office's first Investigative Division. Sheriff Ford raised personnel standards by thorough testing of applicants. He also established the office's first operational Rules and Regulations manual. Sheriff Ford also established the first contract law enforcement as well as the first Alcohol Safety Action Program.
Sheriff Ford resigned in September 1983 to pursue a career in the private sector. Sheriff Ford was a very competent and professional Law Enforcement official who, through his leadership helped make the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office one of the best in the State of Iowa.
Michael D. Kerns (10/14/1983 - 12/31/1992) was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy left by Sheriff Ford's resignation. During Sheriff Kerns' tenure he continued the trend started by Sheriff Ford in allowing the Sheriff's Office to progress. Sheriff Kerns arranged the purchase of a Mobile Communication van that allowed contact with deputies in the event the court house was damaged. Sheriff Kerns also implemented the DARE program that is still in force today. Sheriff Kerns also converted the weapons carried by the deputies from revolvers to the 9mm semi automatic handgun. Sheriff Kerns also purchased four-wheel drive vehicles for use on road patrol. Sheriff Kerns did not seek re-election in the November 1992 election.
Jefferey D. Danker (01/01/93 - Present) was elected Sheriff in the November 1992 election. Sheriff Danker began almost immediately in proposals to build a new jail. This was done by soliciting the help from the public. Sheriff Danker formed a committee of the following people:
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Ted Baker - Council Bluffs
Keith Burgett - Council Bluffs
Ron Caddell - Carter Lake
John Dalton - Council Bluffs
Lynn Ford - Council Bluffs
John Innes - Council Bluffs
Ray Oelkers - Council Bluffs
Merlene Sievers - Walnut
Bob Soloth - McClelland
Ron TeKippe - Council Bluffs
Jim Wilkinson - Council Bluffs
Bob Williams - Crescent
Sheriff Danker also committed two deputies to the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force. The task force involves the following Law Enforcement Agencies: Council Bluffs Police Department, Mills County Sheriff's Office, Harrison County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement.
On May 24, 1994, Sheriff Danker implemented a Citizens Advisory Committee. The original members of the Citizens Advisory Committee are listed as follows:
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Howard (Speed) Achenbach - Oakland
Ted Baker - Council Bluffs
Ron Caddell - Carter Lake
Diane Buske - Treynor
Ron Elliott - Minden
Bill Hardisty - Avoca
Rich Henry - Macedonia
Dale Robertson - Underwood
Merlene Sievers - Walnut
Daryl Snipes - Council Bluffs
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Bryce Poland - Treynor
Cheryl Waggoner - Oakland
Sheriff Danker, in working with the Board of Supervisors, has been able to increase the uniformed strength of the Sheriff's Office to 45 deputies. There is also an additional strength of 23 Special Deputies.
In 1998, Sheriff Danker implemented the Shop with the Sheriff Program. It allows the Sheriff and deputies to escort children through a department store and allow them to buy gifts for Christmas.
Sheriff Danker has also purchased a self-contained 28-foot Communications trailer and mobile command post. He has increased training for the deputies by utilizing the Law Enforcement Television Network on a monthly basis. Sheriff Danker has also implemented motorcycle and bicycle patrols, as well as, the reassertion of the Emergency Response Team.
Sheriff Danker is currently on the Board of Directors, as the 1st Vice President, of the Iowa State Sheriff's and Deputies Association where he also serves on the Legislative Committee.