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In Memoriam
Jim CullenOctober 14, 1935 - September 13, 2000 September 16, 2000 Funeral Verse Nancy, Sheila, Greg and Jeff - On behalf of the Law Enforcement community, we want to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. We want to thank you for sharing Jim with us. Jim, as many of us have done, sacrificed his love of the family, with the love of their job. We, like you, we love you Jim. Jim will be missed, however we must remember, our loss is heavens gain. Jim will be received well, there, as he was well received on earth. Jim was a giver. Giving his time to his community, giving his time to his family, and giving to his church. Friends, family and faith are what it takes. Jim loved his friends. No matter if it was for a cup of coffee or a good hot lunch. Jim was always there. Jim was there when you needed some plumbing advice, or just needing a good listener. Jim never complained about his work, and was always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. You could always count on Jim. Jim loved his family. Nancy, your a special person. Jim knew that. Jim would express his love for you with us. It was Nancy is doing this, or Nancy is doing that, or I have to get home because Nancy has dinner on. Shelia, Greg and Jeff. WOW, was he proud of you all. Lets start with Sheila. After all, ladies first. You were a sparkle in his eyes. I mean, the only daughter. You could do no wrong, or at least that is what he said. You were there for him. Telling him to eat and drink, bringing him meals, when mom was running errands. You were a great support for him, and he wasn’t afraid to tell that. Greg, what can I say? Jim always called you “the undertaker”. It was a while before I ever knew your name. Jim would talk about the new house and stable while it was under construction. Jim kept us informed on the new funeral home. How you were stepping on toes, and how we might have to come down and defend you. Jim had us ready to go. We were glad all went well. On a personal note, you must do your job well. Jim looks wonderful. Jeff. Jim always kept us informed on your jobs. The security jobs in Des Moines, to the hiring process with the patrol. Jim was proud as a peacock. When you were assigned your number, Jim called Lowell. What a proud moment. Butch, Irene and Teresa, Jim spoke highly of each of you. He was proud to have you in the family. Please take care of his kids. As for the grand children and great grand children, he never missed an opportunity to talk about each of you. Thanks for making his life a happy one. You all succeeded, and keep you heads up high. Jim is up there. Give him a smile. And faith. Jim knew where he was going. Jim was given the right path. With the help like you, Jim is in a better place. Jim knew the lord, and wasn’t afraid to tell anyone. He was one fine disciple. LOVE. L for loyalty O for outgoing V for valor E for eternal life That is what Jim was made of. God saw he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around him and whispered, come with me With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and we watched you fade away, Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay A golden heart stopped beating Hardworking hands were put to rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. Jimmy Cullen, Were going to miss you. Bill Sage  Lance Dietsch  Stan Gerling On June 30, 1989, the Cass county Sheriff’s Office was called to the Sunshine Home south of Atlantic to help locate a missing resident who had wandered away. The Sunshine Home is a care facility for the elderly and handicapped. Such a call was not out of the ordinary because this particular man had walked away before, but law enforcement officers in the area will never forget what happened that afternoon Sunshine Home employees told Sheriff Larry Jones the direction the elderly man was last seen heading. They also told Jones that if the man fell he would not be able to get up. Knowing that the area indicated had standing corn in it, Jones called the Iowa Highway Patrol and said he required the use of their plane. Meanwhile, Trooper Stan Gerling, hearing the radio calls, offered to help. Jones requested he check the gravel roads in the event the elderly man was wandering on one of them. Gerling’s shift ended at 4 p.m. but stayed on duty in order to help. Trooper Lance Dietsch piloted the search plane and after several sweeps of the area had no results. Patrol Sgt. Don Rowland asked if it might help if Dietsch had someone else in the plane to help him. Dietsch agreed, and Gerling volunteered to fly with him. Several sweeps were made again with no results. Then at 5:41 Dietsch contacted Sheriff Jones to say he would make one more sweep before calling it quits. One minute later, Dietsch radioed that he and Gerling had spotted the man and would circle the spot so ground searchers could locate him. The next message came from the ground searchers. They reported that the plane was going down and emergency equipment was needed. When the plane was reached on the ground, Dietsch was removed from the wreckage and taken to the Cass County Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Gerling was killed instantly on impact. The 66-year-old walkaway was found two hours later, 100 yards from the crash. Dietsch, 30, was stationed in Council Bluffs and was engaged to marry Twyla Freeman of Carlisle. The marriage had been scheduled for August 11. Dietsch was born in Waterloo and graduated from Columbus High School there before attending the University of Northern Iowa where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1982. Gerling, 34, was stationed in Atlantic. He and wife Peggy had two children. He had moved to Atlantic just a year before the accident. He was active in the little league program, coaching and helping with a fund drive. He was born in Mount Pleasant and graduated from Winfield High School and Southeastern Community College in Burlington. “A Part of America Died” Somebody killed a policeman today And a part of America died A piece of our country he swore to protect Will be buried with him at his side The suspect who shot Will stand up in court, With counsel demanding his rights While a young widowed mother must work for her kids, and spend long, lonely nights The beat that he walked was a battlefield too, Just as if he’d gone off to war Though the flag of our nation won’t fly at half mast, To his name they will add a gold star Yep, somebody killed a Policeman today, In your town or mine While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors, A cop put his life on the line Now his ghost walks a beat on a Dark city street, And he stands at each new rookies side He answered the call, of himself gave his will And a part of America died. Prayer for law officers O god Whose Almighty power and great wisdom guides the Universe, watch over all Law enforcement Officers. Keep them From harm while performing their duties to stop crime and Violence. Guide them in their decisions. We pray, help them keep our streets safe day and night. We place them in Your loving care as their duty is dangerous. Grant them Your constant strength, courage and wisdom in their daily assignments. Dear God protect these brave officers and grant them Your Almighty protection. Unite them safely with their families after their duty has ended. Links National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) List of Police Memorial Sites | ||||||||||||||||||
