Photo courtesy of DCSO

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office announced it lost a valued team member due to complications from COVID-19.

According to a statement from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dwight Stearns, who was the sheriff’s office’s first full-time Transport Officer, died from complications ofCOVID-19. Stearns trained every person in the Transport Division and is responsible for countless firearm certifications of peace officers throughout Iowa and the Midwest. 

The statement goes on to say that Stearns was known throughout Iowa as a world-class shooter and he loved to share stories and videos of those he had coached or mentored. Stearns began his public service in 1975 when he served in the U.S. Army, where he became a sergeant. 

In 1980 Stearns began working for the Earlham Police Department and retired after 31 years as Chief of Police. He then worked for the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office  nearly 10 years ago to lead the Transport Division.