Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer Leo Hemmer was shot and killed as he brought food to the prisoners he was guarding at the Dubuque County Jail at 36 East 8th Street in Dubuque. Around 7:00 a.m., when Jailer Hemmer opened the door to a holding area to deliver food, he was jumped by three prisoners, one of whom pulled a revolver out of his pocket and shot and killed Jailer Hemmer. It is unknown how the revolver was smuggled into the jail. One of the suspects was arrested later that day. Three weeks later, deputies surrounded a house in Clinton, Illinois, where Jailer Hemmer's killer and another suspect were found to be hiding. The killer shot and killed himself. The other 20-year-old suspect surrendered. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 4, 1936. Jailer Hemmer was a United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department for eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, his mother, and several brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-6DA0FA7E- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Jailer Hemmer served with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dubuque community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leo Hemmer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Jailer Leo Hemmer 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 Dubuque County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leo Hemmer's cause is highlighted.
How Leo Hemmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Two arrested; One committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leo Hemmer is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leo Hemmer was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dubuque County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
