Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Daniel McPherren was shot and killed when he responded with other officers to a robbery at the Hy-Vee grocery store in Newton. He was posted at the rear of the store, waiting for the robber to exit. A second robber was posted near the rear of the store as a lookout, and a gunfight ensued between the officers and the suspects. The fatal shot struck between the panels of Officer McPherren's vest. Both of the suspects were wounded and fled. Both had escaped from a minimum security prison in Newton. They were later apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder. Both received life sentences without parole for the murder of Officer McPherren. The subject who shot and killed Officer McPherren died in prison on March 21, 2017. The other subject remains in prison. Officer McPherren had served with the Newton Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-218279EB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer McPherren gave the Newton Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer McPherren.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Daniel Mark McPherren, Sr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Newton Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Daniel Mark McPherren, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Daniel Mark McPherren, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel Mark McPherren, Sr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel Mark McPherren, Sr. was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
