Heroes Who Serve: 5 First Responders Keeping Iowa Safe

Iowa is home to dedicated first responders who go above and beyond to keep their communities safe. That’s why Patch and T-Mobile have teamed up to spotlight EMTs, firefighters and police officers who are making a difference every day.

Check out five outstanding Iowa first responders who are making an impact. And if you know a hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a first responder for a chance to be featured in our Heroes Who Serve series on Patch!

Deputy Rusty Simpson (Fairfield) — In September 2024, Deputy Rusty Simpson of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was honored with a Heartsaver Hero Award by the American Heart Association for saving a woman’s life. When the woman collapsed and stopped breathing, Simpson arrived at the scene and immediately used an automated defibrillator to shock her heart, followed by chest compressions while firefighters assisted with breathing support. After several minutes of effort, the woman regained a pulse and made a full recovery. Simpson humbly credited the collective teamwork of first responders and encouraged others to learn CPR, emphasizing its life-saving importance. Read more here.

Sheriff Warren Wethington (Cedar County) — This April, Sheriff Warren Wethington was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Distinguished Citizen Medal for his exceptional service to the community. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate qualities such as courage, honor, leadership, patriotism and service. Wethington, who has worked diligently on the force to protect and support his community, was the first local recipient of the DAR medal in the 84-year history of the Open Prairie Chapter. He expressed pride in receiving the honor, acknowledging the importance of always striving to do the right thing in service to his community and country. Read more here.

Officer Chase Breeser (Urbandale) — In March 2025, Officer Chase Breeser of the Urbandale Police Department was hailed as a hero for rescuing two guinea pigs from a house fire. After firefighters brought their cage out of the burning home, neither pet was breathing, but Officer Breeser immediately performed CPR on both, successfully reviving them. The heartwarming moment was shared on social media, highlighting his quick thinking and compassion in a life-or-death situation. The department praised Officer Breeser, along with the firefighters and others involved, for their heroic teamwork in saving the animals' lives. Read more here.

Officer Andrew O’Day (Oskaloosa) — This February, Officer Andrew O'Day of the Oskaloosa Police Department returned home from a year-long deployment with the Iowa Army National Guard in Poland. During his time abroad, O'Day served with the 1133rd, unit, assisting with the transportation of equipment and supplies. His return was met with a hero's welcome from his colleagues and the community, highlighting the strong support system he had while overseas. O'Day, who has always dreamed of serving both as a police officer and a member of the military, expressed gratitude for the support he received and excitement to return to his duties in Oskaloosa. Read more here.

Police Commander Jason Tuttle (Ames) — In June 2022, Ames Police Commander Jason Tuttle displayed exceptional bravery when he responded to a shooting that erupted in a parking lot outside a Cornerstone Church meeting. Despite being off-duty, wearing only his police polo and without protective gear, Tuttle rushed to the scene and took immediate action to confront the threat. His quick thinking and willingness to put himself in harm's way, especially with numerous youth present at the event, exemplified his selflessness and courage. For his heroic efforts, Tuttle was awarded Ames’ highest honor, the Award of Valor, in 2023. Read more here.

We’re fortunate in Iowa to have first responders like these working tirelessly to keep us safe. If you know a local hero who deserves recognition, we want to hear about them! Click here to nominate them to be featured on Patch!