April 23, 2024

Get to know Newton’s newest NPD Officers

By Jamee A

Newton Police Department officers Bradley Sheeder, left, and Jacob Harden, right, stand with Mayor Mike Hansen during their swearing in ceremony earlier this year. Both Bradley and Harden started on the job in February and will attend the Iowa Police Academy in May. (Submitted Photo)

Name: Jacob Harden

Age: 28

Education: 2006 graduate of Newton High School, attended DMACC for three years before receiving a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in law enforcement and minor in psychology from Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn.

Military Service: Harden has served for 4.5 years and is a specialist in the National Guard.

Police Officer background: First position at a police department. Harden started on Feb. 27 and will go to the Iowa Police Academy on May 1 for 14 weeks. He is currently enrolled in the field training program at the NPD working along side a field training officers for a total of 12 weeks.

Why did he want to become a police officer: “At a young age everyone wants to play cops and robbers and it just kind of stuck,” Harden said. He also is looking forward to helping people in the city and becoming more involved in the community. I just want to focus on getting started, learning as much as I can, doing the best I can.”

From Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess: “Jacob came in with a good back ground, a military background is an asset to us. The leadership training and he comes with a knowledge of a structured environment. Jacob was a good fit for the department. Also, being a local resident, there are advantages to that. One of the key things we try to do in law enforcement is build relationships in the community and him having a background, knowing a lot of the citizens, it will be more seamless for him.”

Outside interests: Hunting, fishing, Iowa Hawkeye football and the Green Bay Packers.

Name: Bradley Sheeder

Age: 26

Education: 2008 graduate of Perry High School

Military Service: Army National Guard Calvary Scout. From 2010 to 2011 served in Afghanistan.

Police Officer background: First position at a police department. Sheeder started on Feb. 27 and will go to the Iowa Police Academy on May 1 for 14 weeks. He is currently enrolled in the field training program at the NPD working along side a field training officers for a total of 12 weeks.

Why did he want to become a police officer: “It has always been a dream of mine to be in law enforcement,” Sheeder said. “Newton is giving the opportunity so I am going to take it and run with it. I want to get as much out of it as I can. It all interests me. If I have an opportunity I am going to try and take it.”

From Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess: “Similar to Harden, they both came in with similar background in the military. It is a very strong attribute of candidates and Bradley even had some combat experience which is nice to see somebody who has been through stressful situations and has come out of the other side in a positive way. He has used those leadership skills in his own life and still wants to serve. All of that put together is very attractive to the police department, looking for people to join and be a part of our team as well as impact the community.”

Outside interests: Hunting, fishing, spending time with his family on his acreage in Colfax.