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Incident
Patrolman Harold DeGear was killed when he was crushed between his patrol car and another car during a traffic stop on 6th Street SW near 20th Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids. As he wrote a ticket to the driver of the vehicle he had stopped another vehicle attempted to pass a truck and struck the rear the Trooper DeGear's patrol car. Patrolman DeGear was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. Patrolman DeGear was a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran of both WWII and the Korean War. He had served with the Iowa Highway Patrol for 6-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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neuraspine_01krbxtmsz3yffbx76fd3mnecg- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Harold is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman DeGear gave the Iowa State Patrol 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Harold Clarence DeGear served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Iowa State Patrol has lost 12 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Harold is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Harold is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harold is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1954, 1 officer at Iowa State Patrol was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 2.
In 1954, 2 officers in IA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1954, 69 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1954, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Harold was 29. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Iowa State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 43; the middle age was 37. Harold had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Harold was 29. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Harold had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Harold had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 11.1% of these deaths at Iowa State Patrol; June holds the most, 44.4%. Fridays: 44.4%.
February holds 7% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Fridays: 16.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Iowa State Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Iowa State Patrol has 12 officers remembered here, Harold among them.
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Oran H. Pape
Apr 30, 1936
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Harold Emmerson Klinkefus
May 18, 1949
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Harold Clarence DeGear
Feb 19, 1954
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Ralph Franklin Garthwaite
Jul 2, 1955
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Marvin C. VanderLinden
Jun 11, 1965
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Charles Gerald Whitney
Jun 16, 1985
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Lance G. Dietsch
Jun 30, 1989
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Stanley E. Gerling
Jun 30, 1989
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Allen Patrick Nieland
Oct 14, 1990
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Mark Edward Toney
Sep 20, 2011
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James Kyle Smith
Apr 9, 2021
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Theodore Lawrence Benda
Oct 20, 2021
Where
Military Service
Harold Clarence DeGear served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Harold Clarence DeGear’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Iowa State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
