Roll of Honor
Lorena Yanira Schulte
Incident
Nurse Lorena Schulte and Correctional Officer Robert McFarland were assaulted and beaten to death by two inmates in the Anamosa State Penitentiary infirmary during an escape attempt.
The inmates had developed a ruse to gain access to the infirmary by claiming to be there as part of the prison repair program. Once inside, they attacked Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland with hammers, inflicting fatal skull fractures on both. Another inmate inside the infirmary attempted to protect Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland but was also attacked and suffered a skull fracture.
The two inmates then attempted to use a grinder to break through the exterior window and protective bars but were unsuccessful. They briefly took another nurse hostage before fleeing back into the prison, where they were subdued. The two inmates had been serving lengthy sentences for robbery convictions. Both were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and abduction. Both inmates were sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.
Nurse Schulte was in a position that gave her primary responsibility for the custody and security of convicted criminal offenders.
Nurse Schulte had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents, two sisters, a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-BCC36CFE- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Employee Schulte 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, Corrections Employee Schulte.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corrections Employee Lorena Yanira Schulte is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Iowa Department of Corrections, 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lorena Yanira Schulte's cause is highlighted.
How Lorena Yanira Schulte Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lorena Yanira Schulte is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lorena Yanira Schulte was killed by blunt object; hammer.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
