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Lorena Yanira Schulte
Incident
Nurse Lorena Schulte and Correctional Officer Robert McFarland 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 Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland with hammers, inflicting fatal skull fractures on both. Another inmate inside the infirmary attempted to protect Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland 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.
Nurse Schulte was in a position that gave her primary responsibility for the custody and security of convicted criminal offenders.
Nurse Schulte had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents, two sisters, a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Corrections Employee Schulte gave the Iowa Department of Corrections 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Employee Schulte.
— 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.
Lorena is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Lorena is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lorena 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 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
Lorena was 50. 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. Lorena had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 14 years.
Lorena was 50. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Lorena had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lorena was 50. 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. Lorena had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lorena was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lorena had served 14 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. The weapon recorded was blunt object; hammer, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; hammer, in 0.8% 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 blunt object; hammer, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; hammer, in 0% of these deaths.
Her people
Iowa Department of Corrections has 14 officers remembered here, Lorena 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 26-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.
