Roll of Honor
Robert Levi McFarland
Incident
Correctional Officer Robert McFarland and Nurse Lorena Schulte 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 Officer McFarland and Nurse Schulte with hammers, inflicting fatal skull fractures on both. Another inmate inside the infirmary attempted to protect Officer McFarland and Nurse Schulte 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.
Officer McFarland had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 13 years and also served with the Ely Volunteer Fire Department.
Nurse Schulte had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, mother, two sisters, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-DA66B1F9- 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.
Correctional Officer McFarland gave the Iowa Department of Corrections 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer McFarland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Robert Levi McFarland 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. Robert Levi McFarland's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Levi McFarland Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Levi McFarland is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
