Corrections1.com
KNOXVILLE, Iowa — The corrections community mourns the death of Transport Officer Virgil Lee Behrens, of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa. The Officer Down Memorial Page reports the following:
Officer Virgil Behrens and two detention officers were en route to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to attend in service training when the vehicle driving next to them struck a deer on US Highway 65. A portion of the deer was thrown through the windshield of the department vehicle that Officer Behrens was driving, causing it to go out of control.
The van rolled, ejecting Officer Behrens. All three officers were transported to a hospital in Des Moines. Officer Behrens remained on life support until succumbing to his injuries 12 hours later.
Officer Behrens had served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department for 13 years and had previously served 30 years with the Iowa State Patrol. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and grandchildren.