March 19, 2024

Man serving life for killing Newton officer dies in prison

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The man responsible for the death of Newton Police Officer Daniel McPherren has died. Lawrence Gladson, 72, died Tuesday in a hospice room of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison where he had been housed due to a number of chronic illnesses.

Gladson was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the first degree murder of McPherren, who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 13, 1985. Gladson was also convicted of three counts of first degree robbery in Jasper County.

He was originally admitted to prison on Jan. 11, 1983 for felony assault, extortion and false imprisonment in Warren County. While at the minimum security Correctional Release Center in Newton, Gladson escaped on Sept. 3, 1985.

Ten days following his escape, Gladson attempted to rob the Hy-Vee west grocery store on Sept. 13. It was there McPherren was shot and killed when he responded with other officers.

McPherren was posted at the rear of the store waiting for the robber to exit. A second robber was posted near the rear of the store as a lookout and a gunfight ensued between the officers and the suspects.

McPherren was fatally shot between the panels of his vest. Both Gladson and the other suspect were wounded and fled the scene. They were later apprehended and convicted of first degree murder.

Current Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman was not yet in law enforcement but can vividly remember the night the murder occurred. Hoffman’s father was a member of the Newton Police Department at the time and took part in the search following the attempted robbery.

“It was one of those memories that has stuck with me in my 26 years of law enforcement,” Hoffman said. “I remember many of the police wives gathering in our kitchen that night while the man hunt was ensuing. We were all fearful with having two dangerous murderers with the whereabouts unknown, worrying about our family members and also the condition of Dan because he did not pass away at the scene. It was just the tragedy of his family at that time and the community and the outpouring of support, it was something that stuck with me all of these years later.”

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said at a memorial service last year a portion of McPherren’s family was able to attend. The service honored all three of Newton’s fallen officers, McPherren, Bobby Barrickman and Pat Richardson.

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