The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, paid tribute to the men who serve as volunteer members of Atlantic Police Department Reserves and liaison officers. Mayor Dave Jones presented the group of 10 who were at the meeting, with a Distinguished Service award for their dedication, and exceptional professionalism displayed during the numerous 2016 programs in which they gave back countless hours to the citizens of Atlantic.

(2nd from the left) Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson, and members of the Police Reserve Unit

Jones said the Reserves won the Donald H. Mackemann Outstanding Unit Award from the Iowa State Reserve Officers Association. It was the sixth time the group had won the award since the Reserve Association was established in 1974.

The ISROA Award was presented last month during the organization’s 45th Annual Conference and Business meeting in West Des Moines. Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson spoke of the training, dedication and services provided by the volunteer Reserve members, not to mention the children’s and family programs they help to run. He said on average, most of the Reserves donate at least 300 hours per year to the City.

Erickson said the award wouldn’t be possible, “Without the good citizens of Atlantic donating money which we can take and turn back into the community for programs to take care of youth and the citizens of Cass County. A special thanks to everybody that donates. It’s greatly appreciated  from the bottom of our hearts for all the support we get.”

In addition to the Unit Distinguished Service Award, two Atlantic Reserve Officers received Certificates of Appreciation and a plaque from the Mayor and Police Chief, for Officer Robert “Bob” McHugh, for 20-years of volunteer service, which is more than 5,000 hours.

Reserve Officers McHugh (Left) and Hackwell (right)

Officer Jeff Hackwell received a similar certificate and plaque for his 10-years of service. And, the Mayor presented Chief Erickson with an award for his 20-years of service protecting the community.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has indicated he will sign a trio of controversial bills Friday that were hotly debated during the Iowa Legislative session.

One bill would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in Iowa. It would take effect immediately on enactment. The ban was criticized for not allowing exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal anomalies. Abortion-rights groups have indicated they will file a legal challenge to fight the restrictions.

Another bill would require voters to show identification at the polls and reduce the state’s early voting period, which advocacy groups say will suppress voter turnout. The ID requirement will go into effect in 2019.

The final measure would cap payouts to patients in some medical malpractice lawsuits, though a jury may override the cap in some instances.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood are suing to block a measure set to be signed into Iowa law this week that would impose a three-day waiting period on women seeking abortions.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in Polk County District Court seeks an emergency injunction to block the waiting period that would go into effect immediately upon being signed by Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad says he’ll sign it Friday morning.

The ACLU and Planned Parenthood said Wednesday in a joint news release that the measure will interrupt already-scheduled abortion appointments and that some of those women could be near the point in which they can longer induce abortion through medication. The lawsuit says that would force them to have a surgical abortion or carry the pregnancy to term.

The names of four officers killed in the line of duty will be added to the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial in Des Moines, Friday morning. Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be on hand for the ceremony near the Oran Pape State Office Building (215 E. 7th Street), in Des Moines. The ceremony begins at 10-a.m., and the public is invited to attend.

Among the names being honored is:

• Special Agent Thomas P. Griffin with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, who, along with another detective, were checking an area of railroad tracks in Des Moines where frequent thefts had taken place as trains staged out of the switching yards. Agent Griffen saw two men stealing items from a boxcar and ordered them to halt. Both men fired at him with a .32 caliber handgun. They were later arrested and convicted of murder before being sentenced to life in prison for the crime, which happened Nov. 15th, 1923.
• Sgt. Shawn Glenn Miller – West Des Moines Police Department. Sgt. Miller was on-duty returning home from testifying in an ongoing case at the Dallas County Courthouse on Aug. 3rd, 2016, when a vehicle turned in front of Miller’s motorcycle. He died at the scene of the subsequent collision.
• Officer Justin Scott Martin -Urbandale Police Department. Officer Martin was gunned down as he sat in his Police Cruiser on Nov. 2nd, 2016. He was struck several times and died instantly.
• Sgt. Anthony “Tony” David Beminio – Des Moines Police Department. Sgt. Beminio was the second victim of the same lone gunman who also claimed the life of Officer Martin.  He was ambushed and struck several times while in his fully marked Police vehicle, and later died at the hospital.

If you are unable to attend the ceremony, the Iowa Department of Public Safety asks that you take time, especially during National Police Week, May 15-21, to thank current peace officers for protecting and serving your community.