Past Honored Heroes
Jamie BuentingHonored in 2022
Jamie worked for TCI cable and AT&T cable prior to his career in law enforcement. Jamie always had a passion for law enforcement and joined the underwater search and rescue team in 1997. A couple years later he launched his law enforcement career when he was hired with the Lake City Police Department. Officer Jamie Buenting served with the Rockwell City Police Department for 8 years but had a total of 12 years of Law Enforcement service. Jamie’s other career accomplishments included being a member of the Regional Special Emergency Response Team, a certified Firearms Instructor through both the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and through the NRA Law Enforcement Division. Jamie also owned and operated Iowa Firearms Safety & Tactics. On Thursday, September 12th, 2013 Officer Jamie Buenting and other officers responded to a residence where a subject wanted on felony warrants was believed to be located. This subject refused to exit the home and barricaded himself inside. After about a 4-hour standoff this subject fired a single round striking Officer Buenting, killing him. The subject remained barricaded and ultimately surrendered. He was convicted of 1st degree murder and is serving a life sentence in prison. Officer Buenting left behind his wife Amanda, his son Ethan, and his daughter Kalie. The family of Officer Jamie Buenting will join the families of Army Specialist Dustin Colby, Keokuk County Deputy Eric Stein, and Naval Chief Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson to be honored at the Country Thunder Iowa Music Festival that will take place in Forest City, Iowa June 11th thru 13th, 2022. Thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice Officer Jamie D. Buenting. May God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Jon T. TumilsonHonored in 2022
Jon was a Member of the elite fighting group known as the Navy Seals. Jon served in numerous deployments with the Navy Seals and earned two Bronze Stars for his heroic achievement in a combat. It was always a dream of Jon’s to serve his country. When he was 15 years old he wrote a school paper detailing his plans to spend a 20 year military career serving as a Navy Seal. Sadly, this dream was cut short on August 6th, 2011 when the CH-47 Chinook Helicopter he was riding in was shot down in Wardak province, Afghanistan, killing all those on board. He was returned home and laid to rest in Rockford, IA with full military honors. Thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice Chief Petty Officer Tumilson. May God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Eric SteinHonored in 2022
Eric Stein served 11 years as a Deputy Sheriff with the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa. He had obtained the rank of sergeant on the department. Eric’s other achievements include certifications as a Clan-Lab Officer, EMT/PS, firefighter, active shooter, crucial response team, as well as a critical advisor for the Keokuk County Narcotic issues. Eric had many hobbies to include rodeo activities, but his favorite activity was being a father to his daughter Shelby. On April 4th 2011, Sgt. Stein and two other members of the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office went to a rural address in Keokuk County to question a man about an incident from the previous night. This coward open fire on the Deputies and Deputy Stein was shot and killed. The family of Deputy Stein will join the family of Naval Chief Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson to be honored at the Country Thunder Iowa Music Festival that will take place in Forest City, Iowa June 11th thru 13th, 2022. Thank you for your brave service to our country and for your sacrifice Sgt. Eric Stein. May God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Dustin ColbyHonored in 2022
On August 27th, 2004 Specialist Colby was part of a convoy that was departing Camp Dodge, Iowa, bound for Ft. Hood, Texas for training that would prepare the unit for deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shortly after departing Camp Dodge the tractor trailer that Spc. Colby was traveling in wrecked, tragically killing both soldiers inside. Spc. Colby left behind a 4 month old daughter. Dustin Colby is remembered by his mother as a person that could change the mood in the room, simply by his presence. His infectious smile and charm were his most shared gifts and had a positive effect on those around him. Colby joined the Iowa National Guard because he wanted to make a difference in the world, he wanted to do good. The family of Dustin Colby will join the families of Keokuk County Deputy Eric Stein and Naval Chief Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson to be honored at the Country Thunder Iowa Music Festival that will take place in Forest City, Iowa June 11th thru 13th, 2022. Thank you for your service to our country and for your sacrifice Spc. Dustin Colby. May God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Cody HaleyHonored in 2021
LCpl Cody Haley served his country as a United States Marine in Weapons Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines of Camp Pendleton, California. He joined the Marine Corp when he was a senior in high school. He was deployed in the fall of 2016 and returned in May of 2017. He died in a training accident at Camp Pendleton, California on Friday, August 4, 2017. During this deployment, LCpl Cody Haley participated in a training where he received the nickname, “Fastest Gun in the West.” Thank you for your sacrifice LCpl Cody Haley. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Steve WernerHonored in 2021
Steve Werner, 34, of Dubuque, IA, passed away Friday, April 27, 2018 in Dubuque, in a vehicle accident. Steve was born June 22, 1983 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Steve joined the Army on July 17, 2007 as a proud 19D Cavalry scout, serving almost 8 years and deploying with the 6th Squadron 8th Cavalry Regiment of 4th Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division 3 times. Steve was an invaluable asset and everyone's best friend, his indomitable spirit and ability to make anyone laugh carried his team through more times than can be counted. Steve's awards include the Combat Action Badge, 3 Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, 2 Meritorious Unit Citations, 2 Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Drivers Mechanics Badge. "Until Valhalla brother, we will see you on the Fiddlers Green." Steve was honorably discharged in 2015. He then earned his EMT certification, and began working at Paramount Ambulance in August of 2017, a job he loved. Shortly after, he joined the Peosta-Centralia Fire Department as a volunteer. Steven was in an ambulance on the way home from transporting a patient to Chicago when it struck a semi-trailer. Steven was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his wife, Krysta; his children, Kaden, Rilan, Nolan and Gracen; and his parents, Dan and Lugene Werner, of Cottage Grove, MN. Steven will forever be remembered as a true hero who answered his final call doing what he loved to do.
Eric HosetteHonored in 2020
Lt. Eric Hosette 33, of Charlotte, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at a grain bin explosion. Eric was a 2003 graduate of Camanche High School. He later attended the Trinity School of Nursing for his paramedic certification. Most recently attended Waldorf College to attain his AA in Fire Science. Eric’s lifelong dream was to be a firefighter and started as a volunteer with the Camanche Fire Department from 2003-2012. He joined the Clinton Fire Department in September of 2006 and was promoted to Lieutenant in August of 2017. Eric was also a member of the Charlotte Fire Department starting in 2012, where he was promoted to Chief. Lt. Hosette will forever be remembered as a true hero who answered his final call doing what he loved to do and knew that his fellow firefighters would be ready to “take it from here.” Thank you for your Sacrifice Lt. Eric Hosette. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Sgt. Nathan Robert FieldHonored in 2019
Sgt. Field was a member of the 415th Military Police Company out of Pocahontas, Iowa, and was serving on deployment with the 414th Military Police Company out of Joplin, Missouri, at the time of his death. Nathan was killed on January 7, 2006, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nathan's family remembers him as a hero with a kind and great heart and as someone who had a passion for life. He is missed every day. Thank you for your sacrifice Sgt. Nathan Field. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Sgt. Anthony “Tony” BeminioHonored in 2019
Sgt. Beminio served on the Des Moines Police Department. He lost his life in an ambush style shooting. His killer has been sentenced with life in prison without parole. Tony was a dedicated husband and father to three - Cameron, Haley, and Max Beminio. He loved attending his kids' events, riding his Harley Davidson, and deer hunting when he was able. Thank you for your sacrifice Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Justin S. MartinHonored in 2019
Officer Justin Martin was a Police Officer for the Urbandale Police Department. He was killed in the same ambush style shooting as Sgt. Beminio. He believed that if officers of the law did their job correctly, every day, either on or off duty, they could make a difference in the community they serve. He was so proud to be part of such a great profession. Thank you for your sacrifice Justin S. Martin. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Shelly “Shell” Lair-LangenbauHonored in 2019
Shell was a flight nurse for Mercy Air Med. On January 2, 2013, she boarded a Mercy Air Med helicopter responding to a call: this was her final mission. Mercy Air Med N445MT went down near Ventura, IA; there were no survivors in the crash. Her passion was to help people. When she was not working, she was focused on her family - daughters Liberty and McKenna and husband Jay. Thank you for your sacrifice Shelly Lair-Langenbau. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Russell PiehlHonored in 2019
Russell was a flight medic with Shell for Mercy Air Med. On January 2, 2013, he also boarded the Mercy Air Med N445MT helicopter that went down near Ventura, IA. This was his final mission. Russ left behind his wife Melody and their six children - Kayla, Jesse, Tricia, Brandon, Courtney, and Cassie. Thank you for your sacrifice Russell Piehl. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Spc. Joshua L. KnowlesHonored in 2019
Spc. Knowles was a member of the 1133rd Transportation Company out of Mason City, Iowa. Spc. Knowles as killed on February 5, 2004, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in high school, Joshua engaged in paintball battles with Families of the Fallen, Inc. committee member, Dustin Buck. We are so proud to remember him and honor his family at this festival. Thank you for your service Spc. Joshua Knowles. God bless you and may you rest in peace.