Central Iowa Police & Fire Monitoring

22/08/2025

22/08/2025

22/08/2025

22/08/2025

After more than 30 years of fire service and 16 years leading the Des Moines Fire Department, Chief John TeKippe is retiring this upcoming December.

Chief will end his career as the fourth-longest serving Fire Chief in Des Moines history and a leader during some of our city’s most challenging times, including major fires, floods, natural disasters, and a pandemic.

Under his leadership, the department constructed three Fire Stations, the Administration, Maintenance, and Training Facility, expanded recruitment, and created the Iowa HERO Academy to inspire future public safety leaders. He also championed firefighter health, expanded work-life balance, and cancer prevention initiatives, and built innovative partnerships across Central Iowa to improve emergency response and community health. Read the full press release here: https://www.dsm.city/tkpretire

We thank him for his decades of service and leadership, and we wish him well in his next chapter.

Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Chief!

22/08/2025

Swing into fall with the Polk City Firefighters Association and Polk City Police Officers Association Fall Golf Classic! 🏌️‍♂️⛳

Grab your clubs and join us for a day of golf, fun, and community impact!

See the attached flyer for more details—see you on the course!

Use the QR Code or link below!

https://members.gopolkcity.com/ap/Events/Register/VeFkYwbhNCeC9

22/08/2025

Congratulations to Division Chief Littler on reaching the 20-year milestone with West Des Moines EMS! DC Littler remembers being the youngest person on the department when he started. Time flies!!

22/08/2025

It's friday and we feel like royalty around here!

Just kidding, but seriously... responding to a Hazardous Materials run recently and after the emergency was tended to and everything was safe and secure for the occupants, one of the employees thought that Engineer Dan, our special HAZMAT buddy, deserved a crown.

We think so too! Thanks for your service Dan, as well as the entire HAZMAT team!

22/08/2025

22/08/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, August 22, 2025

Last night, at 11:10 p.m., Knoxville Police Officers were dispatched to a domestic dispute at a home in the 300 block S. Roche St. There officers encountered an adult male assaulting an adult female. During the interaction, an officer fired his weapon, striking the man.

Officer provided immediate medical care on scene and contacted the Knoxville Fire Department. The injured man was transported to a Des Moines area hospital by ambulance. Despite lifesaving efforts, the man died at the hospital.

The female was transported to a local hospital. She has since been released. The involved officers were not injured.

Prior to the arrival officers, a gas line at the home was ruptured. As a precaution, resident in the immediate area were evacuated. Alliant Energy was able to cap the gas line. Residents in the neighborhood have been allowed to return to their homes.

There is no threat to the public from this incident.

The dedicated Officers of the Knoxville Police Department strive to provide professional law enforcement services for our community. This includes transparency when incidents like last night occur. I requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to conduct an independent investigation into this officer involved shooting. The investigation will take several weeks to complete. The DCI will forward their findings to the Marion County Attorney and Iowa Office of the Attorney General for review.

As is standard practice, the involved officers have been placed on critical incident leave.

A special thank you to the Knoxville Fire Department, Marion County Sherriff's Office, Iowa State Patrol, DCI, and Alliant Energy for their immediate response to help keep Knoxville safe.

The names of deceased or the officers involved are not being released at this time.

Aaron Fuller
Chief of Police

22/08/2025

21/08/2025