Town’s Longtime Police Chief and Only Police Officer Dies

A Northeast Iowa community is mourning the loss of their longtime police chief, and only officer.

58 year old Louis Staudt of Shell Rock, died unexpectedly Monday at a Rochester, Minnesota hospital.

Staudt had recently marked his 35th year with the Shell Rock Police Department.
Chief Staudt was Shell Rock's only police officer for most of his 35 years in the community of 1,200 people.

For the time being, the Butler County Sheriff's Office will be the law enforcement for the town.

Several area sheriff's offices and police departments are sending condolences to Staudt's family via Facebook posts.

Staudt's funeral service is scheduled for this Saturday (Nov. 17) morning in Roseville, with the visitation set for Friday afternoon in Shell Rock.