Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, Iowa
End of Watch: Thursday, October 8, 1981
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Structure collapse
Date of Incident: October 8, 1981
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Chief Deputy Sheriff Duane Otto was killed while responding to a domestic violence and shooting call involving an emotionally disturbed person.
He and other officers had responded to to the man's home, in Minden, after receiving reports the man had shot at his wife during an argument. He parked his patrol car and went to the porch of the home. His patrol car then rolled into the porch, knocking it down. The porch roof fell onto Chief Deputy Otto causing fatal injuries.
Chief Deputy Otto had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously served with the Council Bluffs Police Department for eight years. He served as the president of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.