Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Susan Farrell and Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales were killed when their patrol car was struck head-on by a wrong way, drunk driver on I-80, at mile marker 117.
They were transporting a prisoner from Council Bluffs back to Des Moines when the crash occurred. Both officers, the prisoner, and the driver of the wrong way vehicle were killed.
Officer Farrell had served with the Des Moines Police Department for only five months and had previously served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
Remembering you on your anniversary of being taken from the citizens here in Des Moines. 9 years ago you and Officer Carlos were transporting a civilian back to the metro area only to be taken by a drunk driver.
Thank you Susan for your service.
Tonya LaFarr, Des Moines Iowa Private Citizen, Law Enforcement Supporter March 27th, 2025
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-A0BA651D- 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 Farrell gave the Des Moines Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Farrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Susan Louise Farrell 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 Des Moines Police Department, 16 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Susan Louise Farrell's cause is highlighted.
How Susan Louise Farrell Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in crash
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Susan Louise Farrell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Susan Louise Farrell was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
