Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal Elmer J. Lennon was fatally wounded as he confronted a male that he suspected of stealing gas from the H.J. Shuette Filling Station in the early morning hours.
When Marshal Lennon approached the male's vehicle, the male ordered him to back away. As Night Marshal Lennon attempted to take cover near his vehicle, the male drew a gun and opened fire. Marshal Lennon was struck in the neck and hip, but was able to return fire and strike the male once in the leg.
The wounded shooter fled in his vehicle, and Marshal Lennon was able to flag down assistance. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The killer was later captured and determined to be a convict who had escaped from a Wisconsin prison. At the time of his arrest, the killer was armed with four loaded handguns and was driving a stolen vehicle that contained an assortment of shotguns and high powered rifles. He confessed to the murder of Night Mashal Lennon and was convicted of the crime. He was released after serving a partial sentence.
Night Marshal Lennon had served as the Postville Night Marshal for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-4E5EAC86- 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.
Night Marshal Lennon gave the Postville Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Postville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Lennon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal Elmer James Lennon 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer James Lennon's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer James Lennon Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer James Lennon is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer James Lennon was killed by gun; unknown type.