Hoebelheinrich retiring after 33 years serving Newton

After 33 years of serving the Newton Community, Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich is retiring his badge. Hoebelheinrich is leaving the job he always wanted in the city where he first wore that badge.

“I think I was always interested in being a police officer. As a young boy I enjoyed playing the good guys and the bad guys,” Hoebelheinrich said. “I remember my grandma once said ‘we knew when you grew up you were going to do something where you always had a gun in your hand.’”

Hoebelheinrich grew up in Council Bluffs where he graduated high school. He then headed east to Davenport where he attended St. Ambrose University and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Along the way he also met the woman who would become his wife.

Following graduation Hoebelheinrich began looking for job openings, scanning newspapers around the state for any leads. Newton happened to have a position available and was the perfect location for his new family, right in the middle of the state.

“It was the first place to offer me a job. I tested a couple of places but they offered first, so I came here. I didn’t know if I would stay here my whole life but I’m really glad I did. It’s been a great city to raise my kids in,” Hoebelheinrich said.

After moving to Newton in 1982, Hoebelheinrich began work in the department, with his first weeks on the job much different than what the officers he hires now experience.

“When I first went out on the street, there wasn’t even a field training program, I just rode around with an officer for three weeks then I was by myself. I hadn’t even been to the police academy yet,” Hoebelheinrich said. “Now you’ll ride around with a field training officer with a regimented program for 12 weeks and you go to the academy for 12 weeks before you are even allowed on your own.”

During his time on the force, he was promoted to a sergeant, then in 1995 was named a lieutenant. Two years later, Hoebelheinrich had one of his most memorable experience as an officer when he got stabbed in the arm.

“There was a gentleman that was in an apartment complex that was tearing it up and they weren’t sure if he was hurting someone else or if he was hurting himself,” Hoebelheinrich said. “When we got there he quieted down and we wanted to make sure he was OK. As we opened the door he was on the other side with a knife and stabbed me in the arm. We were able to resolve that with no one else getting hurt and we did arrest the guy and he was charged. I can laugh about it now because everything turned out just fine.”

Following the incident, Hoebelheinrich had surgery on the wound and was off work for three months. Many people told him that he could retire after the injury, but he said he loved being a police officer and there was no way he would turn his back on his career.

Hoebelheinrich stayed busy as a police officer and made his rounds in every section of the department he could. Six years ago, with the acting police chief leaving, he decided to throw his hat in for what would be the final position of his career.

“When I was at the police department I never just wanted to stay and do one thing. I worked in the accreditation office, I moved to our investigation bureau and supervised investigators as well as the drug task force. So I’ve done just about all of the jobs, except for the school resource officer.”

The natural progression was to police chief, he said.

“You never know if that is where you want to be or not and I guess it was OK, we all survived,” Hoebelheinrich joked.

With his final day approaching, the chief said he really appreciates all of the support he has received from the community.

“The community has been outstanding for us. They have been with us and helped us solve crimes and we couldn’t do it without them,” he said.

He is also confident in his successor, Lt. Rob Burdess.

“He’s got a lot of education, he is a smart guy and I know he is going to do a good job,” Hoebelheinrich said. “I think the department is in good hands and he will move them forward and move on beyond what I have done.”

City Administrator Bob Knabel worked with Hoebelheinrich for the past three and a half years and said what stands out about the chief is his commitment, dedication and loyalty to the city, the department and the community.

“He always presented a professional image and was always cognoscente of his responsibilities and his demeanor,” Knabel said. “I really enjoyed working with Jeff. He always had good ideas and that is something you always like to see.”

As for what he plans to do in retirement, Hoebelheinrich said he wants to continue to help people. This summer he went along with a group of kids from his church to Detroit on a mission trip to help the less fortunate.

“I think that is what I would like to be able to do. To help out people on mission trips because I have been fortunate,” Hoebelheinrich said.

He also looks forward to watching his four children continue to grow and build their own lives. And after 33 years of busy mornings at the office, he’s going to get up, read the newspaper and enjoy his coffee before starting his day.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com