Newton Police Department, Iowa
End of Watch: Friday, September 13, 1985
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 8
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 13, 1985
Weapon Used: Handgun; .357 caliber
Suspect Info: Life without parole
Police Officer Daniel McPherren was shot and killed when he responded with other officers to a robbery at the Hy-Vee grocery store in Newton.
He was posted at the rear of the store, waiting for the robber to exit. A second robber was posted near the rear of the store as a lookout, and a gunfight ensued between the officers and the suspects. The fatal shot struck between the panels of Officer McPherren's vest.
Both of the suspects were wounded and fled. Both had escaped from a minimum security prison in Newton. They were later apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder. Both received life sentences without parole for the murder of Officer McPherren. The subject who shot and killed Officer McPherren died in prison on March 21, 2017. The other subject remains in prison.
Officer McPherren had served with the Newton Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and three children.