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Duane Herman Otto
Incident
Chief Deputy Sheriff Duane Otto was killed while responding to a domestic violence and shooting call involving an emotionally disturbed person. He and other officers had responded to to the man's home, in Minden, after receiving reports the man had shot at his wife during an argument. He parked his patrol car and went to the porch of the home. His patrol car then rolled into the porch, knocking it down. The porch roof fell onto Chief Deputy Otto causing fatal injuries. Chief Deputy Otto had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously served with the Council Bluffs Police Department for eight years. He served as the president of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Duane is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Otto gave the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Council Bluffs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Otto.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Duane Herman Otto served in the U.S. Army (1964â1966) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Duane is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Duane is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Duane 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 1981, 2 officers in IA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 1981, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1981, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Duane was 39. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Duane had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Duane was 39. 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. Duane had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Duane was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Duane had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Thursdays: 15.5%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, 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
Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Duane among them.
Where
Military Service
Duane Herman Otto served in the U.S. Army (1964–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Duane Herman Otto’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 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
