Captain Joseph Kruse, Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa

Captain Joseph Kruse

Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa

End of Watch Thursday, June 8, 1972

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Joseph Kruse

Captain Joseph Kruse was stabbed to death by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

Captain Kruse was stabbed in the heart during 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 kidnapping a 9-year-old girl and committing lascivious acts with her. He was convicted of second-degree murder for killing Captain Kruse on May 29th, 1973, and had 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

prisoner custody

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Most Recent Reflection

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I'm sorry to never had the chance to meet you, and my heart aches at the thought of your widowed wife raising your children alone. The struggles the family faced after your passing I cannot even imagine. I would have liked to have known you. Rest in peace Captain.

Rachael
grand daughter

December 14, 2021