Incident
Correctional Officer Rich Newkirk died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center at 2700 Coral Ridge Avenue in Coralville.
Correctional Officer Newkirk was an Iowa National Guard veteran and had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Correctional Officer Richard William Newkirk died on November 3, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 35.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 3 at Iowa Department of Corrections.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- 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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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Correctional Officer Newkirk gave the Iowa Department of Corrections 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Newkirk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard William Newkirk served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Iowa Department of Corrections has lost 14 officers; 3 of them lost to illness.
Richard is one of 12 officers lost to illness in IA, 5.3% of the 226 remembered there.
Richard is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 3 officers in IA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Richard was 35. Of the 11 lost to illness in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 52 and 59.5; the middle age was 58. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Richard was 35. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Richard had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 25% of these deaths in IA; January holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 8.3%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 21.4% of all 14 deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.3% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Iowa Department of Corrections has 14 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
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John Elder Apr 30, 1882
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Robert Hart
Jul 9, 1940
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William Harrison Hollingsworth
Mar 7, 1948
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William Minehart Zimmerman
Oct 1, 1967
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Samuel Reed
Apr 11, 1969
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Joseph Kruse
Jun 8, 1972
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Gerald Raymond Featheringill Feb 18, 1979
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Scott Edward Bryant
May 17, 2004
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Daniel Morris Jones
Jul 27, 2007
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Robert John Vidimos, II
Nov 16, 2020
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Michael Donovan Teachout
Nov 28, 2020
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Robert Levi McFarland
Mar 23, 2021
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Lorena Yanira Schulte
Mar 23, 2021
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Richard William Newkirk
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Military Service
Richard William Newkirk served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard William Newkirk’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 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.










