Oelwein Officers Receive Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor
Governor Kim Reynolds and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and first responders at the 2024 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A total of seven individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses.
“Today’s award winners met moments of sudden, life-threatening danger or severe hardship with inspiring courage and presence of mind,” Governor Reynolds said. “They are true heroes who represent the very best of our state, and it was a privilege to recognize them this morning.”
Added Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, “These Iowans intentionally and selflessly provided aid and assistance in times of need. It’s an honor to celebrate those who placed the needs of others above their own and answered the call to serve.”
The Sullivan Brothers’ Awards of Valor honors the memory of George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20s – who served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers died together in a tragic attack when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship.
Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, participated in this year’s ceremony. Kelly is a third-grade teacher in Waterloo who sits on the commissioning committee of the new USS Iowa and also commissioned the USS The Sullivans. A total of three first responders, all with the Oelwein Police Department, were honored at today’s ceremony:
1)Officer William E. Ward
2) Officer Codi R. Wurzer
3) Officer Gage D. Voshell
These officers received this prestigious award for their heroic efforts during a February 17, 2024 fire at the Mealey Hotel Apartments. The Oelwein Police Officers entered hazardous conditions at great personal risk in order to locate and rescue a male subject that was overcome with smoke during the fire incident. Officers crawled into the apartment and pulled the subject off of a couch and then dragged the subject across the apartment, out into the hallway and then to safety.


On December 11, 2024, at approximately 1:56pm, Oelwein officers arrested Lori Jo Garceau, 66, of Oelwein. Garceau was arrested on a charge of Criminal Mischief 5th Degree – Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest took place in the 400 block of 8th Street S.W. This arrest is the result of an ongoing incident that took place in the 400 block of 13th Avenue N.W.
At 11:50am on December 8, 2024, Oelwein Police arrested Joshua Allen Griffen, 39, of Oelwein. Griffin was charged with Child Endangerment - Aggravated Misdemeanor and Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury - Serious Misdemeanor. This arrest was made following a report of a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of 6th Ave SE.
At 11:37pm on December 8, 2024, Oelwein Police arrested Lloyd Wayne Scott Jr., 37, of Oelwein. Scott was charged with Violation of No Contact/Protective Order - Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made in the 700 block of 1st Ave SE.
At 11:40am on December 5, 2024, Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in the 100 block of 6th Ave SW. A white 2012 Freightliner garbage truck driven by Jeremy Nelson backed into a silver 2006 Chevrolet Impala owned by Connie Brockmeyer. Initial estimates of damages were $500 to the vehicle driven by Nelson and $6000 to the vehicle owned by Brockmeyer. Nelson was issued a citation for Striking an Unattended Vehicle.
At 3:45pm on December 4, 2024, Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Rd and 20th St SE. A white 2007 Toyota Tundra driven by Jose Paz collided with a brown 2011 Dodge Ram driven by Imogene Van Heuvelen. The force of the collision caused the vehicle driven by Van Heuvelen to collide with a beige 2019 Lincoln Nautilus driven by Jeffrey Rechkemmer, which was stationary at a stop sign at the time of impact. Initial estimates of damages are $10,000 to the vehicle driven by Van Heuvelen, $10,000 to the vehicle driven by Paz, and $4,000 to the vehicle driven by Rechkemmer. Oelwein Police were assisted by the Oelwein Fire Department and Mercy Oelwein Ambulance. One of the drivers was transported to Buchanan County Health Center in Independence for further evaluation.
At 1:18pm on November 25, 2024, Oelwein Police charged Claudia Anne Smith, 55, of Oelwein, with Unlawful Disposal on Public Property. Smith was given a citation for the infraction following a report of illegal dumping at the public recycling bins in the 400 block of 7th Ave SW.
At 1:21am on November 26, 2024, Oelwein Police arrested Scott Deitrick Overmann, 46, of Oelwein. Overmann was arrested on a Black Hawk County warrant for Failure to Appear for Probation Violation Hearing on an original charge of Conspiracy to Commit a Forcible Felony - Class C Felony. This arrest was made in the 500 block of 1st St SE.
At 12:25am on November 29. 2024, Oelwein Police charged Jermia Casper Groleau, 33, of Cedar Rapids with Driving While License Suspended. Groleau was cited and released with a summons to appear following a traffic stop in the 10 block of W Charles St.
At 3:09pm on November 21, 2024, Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident in the 300 block of 8th Ave SE. A black 2002 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Kayla Westcott collided with a white 2000 Cadillac DeVille driven by Sashia McNeese. Initial estimates of damages are $1,000 to the vehicle driven by Westcott and $3,000 to the vehicle driven by McNeese. Westcott was cited with Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.
At 10:02pm on November 21, 2024, Oelwein Police investigated a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Rd and 10th St SE. A gray 2012 Lincoln MKZ driven by Thomas Stammeyer collided with a white 2018 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Chad Benter. Initial estimates of damages are $10,000 to the vehicle driven by Stammeyer and $5,000 to the vehicle driven by Benter. Stammeyer was cited with Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn. Oelwein Police were assisted by Mercy Ambulance Oelwein.
At around 12:40pm on November 19, 2024, Oelwein Police investigated a vehicle accident at the intersection of Rock Island Road and 14th St SE. A blue 2014 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Evelyn Richards collided with a gray 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by Nicole Ehlers. Initial estimates of damages were $7,000 for the vehicle driven by Richards and $7,000 for the vehicle driven by Ehlers. Richards was cited with Failure to Yield Upon Left Turn. Oelwein Police were assisted by Mercy Ambulance Oelwein.
At 2:02am on November 20, 2024, Oelwein Police arrested Daryl Milton Jones, 57, of Hawkeye. Jones was charged with Driving While License Revoked. This arrest was made following a traffic stop in the 100 block of 1st Ave NW.
On November 17, 2024, at approximately 3:08am, Oelwein Officers arrested Raquel Virginia Bowser-Greene, 35, of Oelwein on a Fayette County Warrant for original charges of theft – 3rd Degree. This arrest took place in the 100 block of 1st Avenue S.E.
On November 17, 2024, at approximately 9:34pm, Oelwein Officers arrested Jerome Schuneman, 42, of Phoenix AZ, on charges of Domestic Abuse Assault – 2nd Offense – Serious Misdemeanor. Schuneman was arrested in the 700 block of 3rd Avenue S.W. following a reported assault that was taking place.
On November 16th, 2024, at approximately 8:46 p.m., Oelwein Police Officers arrested Nicholas Eugene Snyder, 46, of Washburn IA. Snyder was arrest on the following charges. Criminal Mischief 5th Degree – Simple Misdemeanor, Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations – Serious Misdemeanor, Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations – Bodily Injury – Aggravated Misdemeanor, Harassment – 1st Degree – Aggravated Misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct – Simple Misdemeanor and Interference with Official Acts – Bodily Injury – Serious Misdemeanor. This arrest took place in the 100 block of South Frederick after a report of a patron at an establishment causing a disturbance. Oelwein Officers were assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.
At 12:55pm on November 14, 2024, Oelwein Police charged a 15-year-old female juvenile with Minor Using Tobacco/Vape Device 1st Offense. The juvenile was cited and released to guardians following a report of a student using a vape pen at the high school. This matter has been referred to Juvenile Court.
At 10:09am on November 15, 2024, Oelwein Police arrested Brandy Lynn Schoultz, 39, of Oelwein. Schoultz was arrested on two Fayette County warrants for original charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense - Aggravated Misdemeanor and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Simple Misdemeanor. This arrest was made following Schoultz turning themself in at the Oelwein Police Department lobby.