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Robert Levi McFarland
Incident
Correctional Officer Robert McFarland and Nurse Lorena Schulte were assaulted and beaten to death by two inmates in the Anamosa State Penitentiary infirmary during an escape attempt.
The inmates had developed a ruse to gain access to the infirmary by claiming to be there as part of the prison repair program. Once inside, they attacked Officer McFarland and Nurse Schulte with hammers, inflicting fatal skull fractures on both. Another inmate inside the infirmary attempted to protect Officer McFarland and Nurse Schulte but was also attacked and suffered a skull fracture.
The two inmates then attempted to use a grinder to break through the exterior window and protective bars but were unsuccessful. They briefly took another nurse hostage before fleeing back into the prison, where they were subdued. The two inmates had been serving lengthy sentences for robbery convictions. Both were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and abduction. Both inmates were sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.
Officer McFarland had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 13 years and also served with the Ely Volunteer Fire Department.
Nurse Schulte had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, mother, two sisters, and brother.
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.
Correctional Officer McFarland gave the Iowa Department of Corrections 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer McFarland.
— 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.
Robert is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 2 officers at Iowa Department of Corrections were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 3 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 46. 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. Robert had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Robert was 46. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Robert had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 46. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 46. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 33.3% of these deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 50%.
March holds 10.1% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Tuesdays: 7.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Iowa Department of Corrections, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Iowa Department of Corrections has 14 officers remembered here, Robert 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 20-W
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.
