Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa
End of Watch Thursday, June 8, 1972
Joseph Kruse
Captain Joseph Kruse was stabbed to death by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary.
Captain Kruse was stabbed in the heart in a scuffle with the inmate in which three other officers were also injured.
The inmate, who had been in prison since 1967, was serving a 16 year sentence for kidnaping a 9 year-old girl and committing lascivious acts with her. He was convicted of second degree murder May 29, 1973, and got 90 years added to his sentence.
Captain Kruse had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections since January 1955 and was promoted to captain in 1968. He was survived by his wife and five children.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 17 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Shank
- Offender Sentenced to 90 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsThinking about you today. Many thanks for your service to our country and my prayers be with your friends and family.
John Haseltine - Civilian
January 10, 2017
Recent LODD Deaths
Corrections Officer Joseph Parise
Minnesota Department of Corrections, MN
EOW: September 24, 2018
Deputy Sheriff Mark V. Stasyuk
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 17, 2018
Corrections Officer Armando Gallegos, Jr.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA
EOW: September 14, 2018
Deputy Sheriff Robert Kenneth Kunze, III
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, KS
EOW: September 16, 2018
Police Officer Oscar Adrian Reyes
Costa Mesa Police Department, CA
EOW: September 12, 2018
Chief of Police Frank A. McClelland, Jr.
Ludowici Police Department, GA
EOW: September 15, 2018
Police Officer Garrett Willis Hull
Fort Worth Police Department, TX
EOW: September 14, 2018
Police Officer David Alexander Tinsley
Fort Wayne Police Department, IN
EOW: September 11, 2018
Assistant Chief of Police Kirt Roy Ricks, III
Montgomery Police Department, LA
EOW: September 7, 2018