Long-serving policeman retires, looks forward to helping others

A dedicated local law enforcement officer has turned in his badge and gun and traded them in for delivery van keys.

Last Thursday Capt. Mike Hanken retired after nearly 34 years of service to Marshalltown residents and the Marshalltown Police Department.

Today the 55-year-old grandfather starts a part-time job at the local Hy-Vee store delivering groceries. Hanken does not consider it a step down. Conversely, the Van Horne native considers the job as one of community service.

Spouse Cindy Hanken said she is looking forward to having her husband home more often and removed from harms way.

Being in harms way was something Mike accepted as part of his career. It started with his first law-enforcement job when hired by the Iowa Department of Corrections in 1984. His assignment was Oakdale Medical Facility near Iowa City. At the time Oakdale treated all DOC inmates for mental health conditions.

"They were transitioning into (their current) inmate classification system by building more prison-like facilities and needed more correctional officers," Hanken said. "I went through the DOC academy and was assigned to the treatment units."

Meanwhile he and a friend learned Marshalltown was hiring policemen. He applied, passed the required written and physical tests, and was hired by then Chief of Police Jim Wilkinson, ending his six-month stint with DOC.

Starting out as a MPD patrolman was a good fit – and one of destiny.

"My dad knew many of the Benton County Sherriff deputies," Hanken said. "And I clearly remember several of them coming over to our house for conversations and coffee in our kitchen. It was not uncommon for a Benton County Sherriff's car to be sitting in our driveway. Later, I became interested in law enforcement as a career. The deputies allowed me to go on many "ride-alongs" so I could see first-hand what law-enforcement was about."

Hanken liked what he saw.

After high school, Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids was next. He declared a major in criminal justice, graduated two years later, and was on his way.

At the MPD he, like current captains Brian Batterson and Chris Jones, rose through the ranks. From patrolman, he was promoted to field training officer. From 1997 to 2003 he was a detective. In 2005 he was promoted to sergeant. Another promotion to lieutenant came in 2005. A job as acting captain was next, until in 2011 he was selected to be one of three captains – all of equal status in command hierarchy.

"My career in law enforcement could not have been possible without the help and support of Cindy and my daughter," Hanken said. "A career in law-enforcement is only possible if one's spouse and family buys into it too."

Cindy and Mike met when he was dispatched to the former Pyramid Dance Hall on East Anson Street (now site of Rainbow Car Wash) on a service call to help two women who had locked their keys in a car.

A Laurel native, Cindy supported Mike throughout his career, but would be concerned when Mike would be called out on emergencies – sometimes late evening or early morning hours after his shift had been completed.

"We had a scanner in the house for one day," Cindy said laughing. "I am very thankful Mike is now retired … no more worrying on my part. It is hard not to be concerned when Mike and our family would be threatened by perpetrators he had arrested."

Cindy said it was hard at first for Mike to talk about some of the things he had seen on the job. Over time he opened up and she got a glimpse into his world.

"As a detective, he had to deal with cases involving the death of infants – those were especially tough," she said.

Mike said one of his most challenging days on the job occurred in November 2012 when Officer Vern Jefferson was shot in the leg near Lennox Credit Union on 12th Avenue by a fleeing bank robber.

"That was hard, hearing Vern was shot … I could not drive over there fast enough," he said. Jefferson recovered fully and returned to duty. The robbers were caught and sentenced to prison.

The recent retiree said he will miss the day-to-day interaction with fellow officers.

"There is a lot of good-natured kidding that goes on melded with handling our duties professionally," he said.

Mike earned the respect of his fellow officers. Jones wrote to Hanken that he respected his leadership skills and had enjoyed working with him. Others in law enforcement and residents who attended his reception Thursday wrote similar sentiments.

"Capt. Hanken served our police department with honor and integrity for 34 years," Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper wrote in an email. "He was a model for all of us to follow and set the standard when it comes to leadership, professionalism and service above self. Mike had a knack for always knowing the right thing to do. He treated everyone he came into contact with decency and respect. He made a difference in our community and leaves huge shoes to fill."

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Contact Mike Donahey at

641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com