Prev
Incident
Police Officer Sean Wissink was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 141 while en route to the airport.
Officer Wissink was a member of the Metro Star Task Force and was one of five officers who were about to leave for New Mexico take part in additional weapons of mass destruction training. He was en route to the airport when it is believed he swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway, causing his department SUV to leave the roadway and overturn several times.
An off duty officer discovered the crash scene and called for rescue personnel. Officer Wissink was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Wissink had served with the Des Moines Police Department for nine years.
Officer Wissink was a member of the Metro Star Task Force and was one of five officers who were about to leave for New Mexico take part in additional weapons of mass destruction training. He was en route to the airport when it is believed he swerved to avoid a deer in the roadway, causing his department SUV to leave the roadway and overturn several times.
Officer Wissink had served with the Des Moines Police Department for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq08my4rt72qfs2pq1v8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Sean. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Wissink gave the Des Moines Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Wissink.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Des Moines Police Department has lost 27 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Sean is one of 71 officers lost to accidents in IA, 31.4% of the 226 remembered there.
Sean is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sean is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 1 officer at Des Moines Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2007, 2 officers in IA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 3.
In 2007, 94 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2007, 103 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Sean was 35. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Des Moines Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 47; the middle age was 35. Sean had served 9.6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Sean was 35. Of the 69 lost to accidents in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 38. Sean had served 9.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sean was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Sean had served 9.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sean was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Sean had served 9.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Des Moines Police Department; August holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 14.3%.
February holds 7% of these deaths in IA; June holds the most, 16.9%. Sundays: 18.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 25.9% of all 27 deaths at Des Moines Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 226 deaths in IA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Sean among them.
-
Edward H. Wishart Jul 1, 1891
-
Augustus C. Becker
Feb 19, 1904
-
Frank Delmege
Sep 20, 1909
-
George William Mattern
Apr 12, 1918
-
Charles Chester Jackson
Dec 16, 1918
-
Cornelius J. McCarthy
Sep 27, 1919
-
Ollie D. Thomas
Aug 20, 1925
-
Gerald D. Pickett
Sep 24, 1925
-
James A. Staggs
Apr 20, 1928
-
Harry Ogilvie
Jul 12, 1930
-
Rupert L. Shepherd
Aug 1, 1930
-
James Joshua Cowart
Dec 7, 1931
-
Harry Linn Booton
Dec 11, 1932
-
Steven Tabor Howard
Mar 2, 1935
-
George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
-
Charles Thomas Andreano
Jul 30, 1964
-
James Emery Rodine
Aug 13, 1968
-
Brian Charles Melton
Apr 21, 1977
-
Dennis Earl Hill
Aug 28, 1977
-
Sean Wissink
Feb 11, 2007
-
Roger Ray Hildreth
Feb 21, 2008
-
David Allen Bowen
Sep 29, 2008
-
Susan Louise Farrell
Mar 26, 2016
-
Carlos Bernabe Puente-Morales
Mar 26, 2016
-
Anthony David Beminio
Nov 2, 2016
-
Joseph Morgan
Sep 16, 2020
-
Phoukham Tran
Nov 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
