During National Police Week, law enforcement is recognized for the services they provide to their communities.

The Jefferson Police Department is a smaller law enforcement department with seven total officers, but Police Chief Mark Clouse says they are a strong unit.

“The officers that we do have in Jefferson right now are outstanding individuals in my book and hopefully in everyone else’s (book). They really all share that same desire that they should share in law enforcement and that’s to be part of the community and help citizens of the community.”

Clouse notes working in a small town can give you advantages in law enforcement, such as knowing who people are to better assess and deal with an incident when it arises. He points out the police department has a great working relationship with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, which is housed in the same building. Clouse feels that’s another advantage because each department can help the other when working on different cases. 

It is also National Police Memorial Day and Clouse says even though it’s been over a century since a Jefferson Police Officer has died in the line of duty, they continually put their lives on the line.

“And you have to not only consider their life but the life of their families: you have mothers without sons and daughters, and children without parents. That officer knew when he went to work that morning that that’s kind of what he’s gambling by this profession and still chose to do that for his community.”

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, two officers have been killed in the line of duty in Greene County since records started in 1868. Marshal John Swearingen of the Jefferson Police Department was shot and killed on June 21, 1902, and Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy James Busby was killed in the line of duty on May 7, 1911.