Their Sacrifices Will Not Be Forgotten...

Five Council Bluffs officers have given their lives in the line-of-duty. Their names are engraved at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. We encourage you to visit the Memorial and join us in honoring all of the brave men and women in this country who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

September 3, 1905, Patrol Driver Charles C. Platner

Patrol Driver Charles C. Platner, 49, died from a gunshot wound while attempting to apprehend a burglar near the 400 block of Oakland Avenue. Platner was an active and faithful officer who knew no such emotion as fear; the Daily Nonpareil described him as being "one of the nerviest men on the police force." Platner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Platner, pioneer residents of Council Bluffs, is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.

July 29, 1907, Detective George W. Wilson

Detective George W. Wilson, 50, died from gunshot wounds sustained in a gun battle on Harrison Street near Mount Vernon. Wilson was attempting to apprehend a man who had earlier shot and wounded Patrolman William H. Richardson. Chief of Police George H. Richmond described Wilson as "absolutely fearless." The Daily Nonpareil described Wilson as "big of body, a man of unusual physical power, devoted to duty and firm." The newspaper also called him clean, square, true, brave, honest, cool-headed, and fair. Hundreds attended Wilson's funeral services and burial at Walnut Hill Cemetery.

May 1, 1935, Sergeant Wilbur B. "Webb" Miller

Sergeant Wilbur B. "Webb" Miller, 37, died from a gunshot wound suffered in a gunbattle with armed robbers. Miller, on motorcycle, chased the robbers from Council Bluffs into Omaha, Nebraska, until their getaway car crashed into a parked truck at 310 North 10th Street. Miller fatally wounded one of the robbers in the gunbattle. Thousands crowded into the funeral service for Miller at Cutler Chapel, spilling out into Bayliss Park. Thousands more lined the funeral procession route to Memorial Park Cemetery. Miller left a widow and five children.

June 30, 1971, Lieutenant C. E. "Pat" Moore

Lieutenant C. E. "Pat" Moore, 51, was shot and killed by an armed bank robber who, while fleeing from officers, had taken a woman hostage inside 3113 Fifth Avenue. The robber was shot and killed moments after Moore was shot. Moore, a 27-year veteran of the force, and the first to head the department's Youth Bureau, was also a talented artist and painter. The City Council passed a proclamation honoring Lieutenant Moore and flags flew at half-staff across the city for days.

October 24, 1974, Officer Ronald G. Roberts

Officer Ronald G. Roberts, 29, died from injuries received on May 1, 1972, when he was struck by an Omaha, Nebraska, police cruiser. Roberts had been on foot directing traffic at 35th and W. Broadway due to malfunctioning traffic signals when an Omaha Police officer pursued the driver of a car into Council Bluffs from I-480. The Omaha cruiser skidded while trying to turn the corner at 35th Street and struck Roberts. Roberts was hospitalized in critical condition and drifted in and out of a coma for months. Community support for Roberts was overwhelming, including fund raisers by Pizza Hut and State Bank and Trust Company. Roberts, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries 29-months after the collision.

Council Bluffs has been almost completely reshaped since its establishment in 1853.

Astonishing advances in technology, communications and transportation over the decades have transformed all of western civilization.

Policing has also changed dramatically, eventually breaking free of political chains and evolving into a highly trained profession.

But one thing has never changed - the courage it takes to be a police officer.