Todays News

Dan Brandt memorial bench dedication set for Saturday at MPD

On Saturday afternoon, the late Dan Brandt will have an official presence at the Marshalltown Police Department.

The Iowa State Reserve Law Officers Association (ISRLOA) and the Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) will be jointly honoring Brandt at a special ceremony at 1 p.m. this Saturday at the MPD -- located at 909 S. 2nd St. Fittingly, the Dan Brandt Memorial Bench will be dedicated

Brandt, 80, died of ALS in January 2025.

"Dan is being honored because of his decades-long dedication to the MPD as a volunteer and to law enforcement," said Police Chief Chris Jones. "He was instrumental in forming the ISRLOA which has aided law enforcement efforts in Iowa. Additionally, he advocated for training and education after it was formed."

Brandt served as ISRLOA's secretary-treasurer for 50 years. In 2012, he was honored with the ISRLOA's Distinguished Service Award.

Additional awards were earned from the MPD:

In 2024, he was recognized for his 53 years of volunteer service to the MPD.

In 2018, he was given a 50-year award by the MPD for his significant contribution to law enforcement.

In 2008, Brandt was awarded the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award for years of service as a reserve police officer.

In 1995, he received the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame award for his work with the Marshalltown Police Reserve.

In 1987, Brandt received the annual Respect for Law Award from the Marshalltown Noon Optimist Club.

Brandt's wife Donna Brandt and daughter Amy (nee Brandt) Howell - both of Marshalltown - have been invited to the ceremony.

"We are grateful to Chief Jones and ISRLOA president Dave Strand for the invitation and bench dedication to honor my late father," said Howell.

She clearly recalled her late father's efforts to create ISRLOA and make it effective.

"Dad, along with the late Robert Schubert (a decades-long Marshalltown first ward city councilor and UAW leader) formed the ISRLOA in 1974," she said. "The first thing the ISRLOA – and dad – pushed for was to create Chapter 80D in 1980 that defined the role and purpose of a reserve police officer."

It was approved only after 20 consecutive session days of meeting with state legislators to convince them of the importance of the legislation. It was passed and became law.

"While dad did have a long list of awards, he was a humble man and didn’t do his volunteering for recognition," Howell said. "He did it because his passion was public service and he enjoyed the time he spent with the police. Dad volunteered hundreds of hours for the betterment of police reserves. He recruited reserves and was out in the 'front lines' with the regulars. Alongside former reserve officer Bill Burke, they restored the iconic 1966 Chevy Impala that is seen in parades and community events. Dad was a common sight leading every Marshalltown parade in the old squad car and would later adjourn to direct traffic. He volunteered to chaperone 'Y' Dances in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was the first to volunteer at any event and was always the last to leave. If the police department needed extra support on patrol, he was the first one they called – I remember the house phone ringing in the late hours of the night. His passion and devotion toward a selfless act are things I’ve always admired him for. A few days ago, when my husband, Cory and I went to look at the bench, Cory said, 'Now he will always be at the police department.' I think it’s a fitting statement for my dad."