Sheldon, Iowa — The newest member of the Sheldon Police Department began his duties Tuesday (December 29th), according to Chief Scott Burtch.
Burtch says Officer Dan Crawley’s addition to the Police Department brings the P.D. back up to its full complement of seven officers.
Prior to coming to Sheldon, Crawley worked as an officer for the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Prior to that time he had been employed as an officer with the Glenwood, Iowa Police Department, as well as serving as a deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office at Council Bluffs. Chief Burtch tells KIWA that Crawley came to Sheldon because he wanted to come home to western Iowa.
Crawley replaces Officer Brian Wielenga, who retired effective August 1st of this year. Once Wielenga announced his retirement a search began for his replacement. Applications were taken during the first part of August, then applicants were required to take a written test and undergo a physical fitness test. Following that process, interviews were conducted and background checks completed on the applicants. Early on in the process, Burtch told KIWA that he hoped to have a new officer on the streets by October or November. Crawley’s starting date was December 29th.
The Police Department has undergone some personnel changes in the past couple of years. It started when veteran office Scott Degoei retired. At that time, Reserve Officer Eric Meineke was promoted to full-time status to replace DeGoei. Late last year, long-time Chief Lyle Bolkema retired, leading to an exhaustive search for a new Top Cop for the City. Chief Scott Burtch was eventually hired to replace Bolkema. In late February, Officer Jett Korver resigned from the police department to accept a position as an O’Brien County Sheriff’s Deputy. Korver was replaced when Reserve Officer Tim Loeschen was promoted to full-time status. And long-time Administrative Assistant Elaine Boogerd retired earlier this month after 35-years with the department. Her position has been filled with the hiring of Tanner Moser.
