Dubuque County Sheriff's Department, Iowa
End of Watch Monday, October 12, 1925
Add to My HeroesLeo Hemmer
Jailer Leo Hemmer was shot and killed as he brought food to the prisoners he was guarding.
As Jailer Hemmer opened the door to a holding area to deliver food, he was jumped by three prisoners, one of who pulled a revolver out of his pocket and shot and killed Jailer Hemmer. It is unknown how the revolver was smuggled into the jail. One of the suspects was arrested later that day.
Three weeks later deputies surrounded a house in Clinton, Illinois, where Jailer Hemmer's killer and anther suspect were found to be hiding. The killer shot and killed himself. The other 20-year-old suspect surrendered. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 4, 1936.
Jailer Hemmer had been employed with the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department for eight months, and was survived by his wife, two children, his mother, and several brothers and sisters.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 8 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
- Offender Two arrested; One committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsJailer Hemmer rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 31, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024