Incident
Captain Joseph Kruse was stabbed to death by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. Captain Kruse was stabbed in the heart during a scuffle with the inmate in which three other officers were also injured. The inmate, who had been in prison since 1967, was serving a 16-year sentence for kidnapping a 9-year-old girl and committing lascivious acts with her. He was convicted of second-degree murder for killing Captain Kruse on May 29th, 1973, and had 90 years added to his sentence. Captain Kruse had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections since January 1955 and was promoted to captain in 1968.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Captain Kruse gave the Iowa Department of Corrections 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Kruse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iowa Department of Corrections has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 1 officer at Iowa Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 2.
In 1972, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 48. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Iowa Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 47 and 50; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Joseph was 48. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 48. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 48. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections; March holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
June holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 9.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Iowa Department of Corrections has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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John Elder Apr 30, 1882
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Robert Hart
Jul 9, 1940
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William Harrison Hollingsworth
Mar 7, 1948
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William Minehart Zimmerman
Oct 1, 1967
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Samuel Reed
Apr 11, 1969
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Joseph Kruse
Jun 8, 1972
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Gerald Raymond Featheringill Feb 18, 1979
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Scott Edward Bryant
May 17, 2004
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Daniel Morris Jones
Jul 27, 2007
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Robert John Vidimos, II
Nov 16, 2020
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Michael Donovan Teachout
Nov 28, 2020
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Robert Levi McFarland
Mar 23, 2021
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Lorena Yanira Schulte
Mar 23, 2021
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Richard William Newkirk
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.










