WEST DES MOINES

Chief: 'Service above self' defined Officer Miller

Kim Norvell, MacKenzie Elmer, Linh Ta, and Charly Haley
Des Moines Register

West Des Moines Police Chief Shaun LaDue choked back tears as he recalled fallen officer Shawn Miller's selfless dedication to his family, his department and his community.

The Patriot Guard Riders carry American flags to the front doors of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for the funeral of West Des Moines police Officer Shawn Miller on Monday morning.

The 26-year veteran of the department was asked three years ago to consider being promoted to the rank of sergeant, but he hadn't finished school, LaDue said. When he asked why, Miller told him:

"'My family comes first and right now there is far too much for me to do for them before I can focus on myself,'" LaDue recalled as he gave a eulogy Monday at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. "This simple statement is what defines Shawn Miller: Service above self."

Miller eventually completed the coursework and was set to be promoted to sergeant Aug. 29. LaDue planned to meet with Miller last Thursday about his new duties, but the officer was killed Aug. 3 in a motorcycle crash while on his way back from a court hearing in Adel.

The 47-year-old will now be posthumously given that rank.

MORE: REWATCH MONDAY'S FUNERAL

Father Michael Hess eulogy

Miller had balance that allowed him to remain open-hearted in a profession that can harden a man.

Those were the words of the Rev. Michael Hess during his eulogy for Miller on Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines.

"After hearing of Shawn's death I reflected on his life,” Hess said. “And really the first image that came to my mind was that Shawn was so even tempered."

As a police officer you deal with people at the hard moments in their lives and it's easy to develop a hard heart, he said.

"Shawn didn't do that,” Hess said. “He could deal with difficult people in situations without becoming jaundiced and hard-hearted. What a great gift to have in his work as an officer."

Hess was the president of Dowling Catholic High School from 1976 to 2000. Miller graduated from the school in 1987.

"Shawn was not in it for the glory. He was in it for others," Hess said.

"Shawn, rest in peace. Your many, many good works go with you. You've made our lives better by your good deeds"

John Bustemante eulogy 

“We were blessed to have such a great man in our lives,” friend John Bustemante said during his eulogy.

"The love we saw from Shawn was from God,” said Bustemante. “It was pure selflessness. … Shawn is the kind of person everyone strives to be like when it comes to loving others."

Miller’s wife, Shannon Wolfkill, and three children — Samantha Fryhoff, Shawn Miller Jr. and Seth Miller — were the most important people in his life, Bustemante said.

He recalled a recent example when Miller learned his wife needed to fast for two days before a medical procedure.

"He would not let her fast alone,” Bustemante said. “Even though Shannon told him to eat and he was hungry he would not eat anything. And with a smile on his face he said he was OK and wanted to do it with her."

The officer also enjoyed making those around him smile and laugh.

Bustemante recalled the time he was pulled over by a police car while dropping his children off at school. "Next thing I know Shawn is getting out of the car with a funny grin," he said. "He always had the look in his face, and you knew he was embarrassing my kids."

He recalled another humorous moment when Miller’s youngest son, Seth, hid a contraband ice cream sandwich to avoid getting in trouble.

"Shawn was getting dressed for work and putting on his service belt. When he holstered his gun he found the sandwich as it oozed out the bottom of his holster."

True friends truly never lose touch, Bustemante said.

“I love you brother, but this is not goodbye, but until we see each other again. And it's my turn to buy the beers."

Sgt. Anthony Giampolo eulogy

Sgt. Anthony Giampolochoked back tears through his description of what it takes to be a police officer — with examples such as being "at once the most needed and the most unwanted" person at the same time.

"We must be such a diplomat that we can settle differences between individuals so that each side thinks they won," he said. "Boy, Shawn was good at that."

Police officers are a composite of what all people are, Giampolo said. They're saints and sinners, nameless creatures, ministers and social workers. They have to make instant decisions to catch criminals and face harsh criticism in the process.

Giampolo said he was asked by Miller's family to read that description. He called Miller his best friend.

"We all love you Shawn, 155 forever," he said, referring to Miller's badge number.

The one you wanted to pull you over

It was not the first time Don “Foxy” Cox witnessed the West Des Moines Fire Department raising an American flag over a funeral procession route. He again observed the banner unfurl from an aerial ladder on truck 175, the engine he used to drive during his 41-year-career with the department.

Cox knew Miller since the time Miller was a reserve officer.

“He was one of the nicest guys you’d ever met,” Cox said smiling. “Everybody said, if you were going to get pulled over by a police officer, he’d be the one you would want to pull you over.”

Des Moines police led aid to W.D.M.

Dante Toriello, a longtime family physician in Des Moines, stood at the corner of Jordan Creek Parkway and Ashworth Road. He’s cared for generations of local families after taking on his father’s practice 37 years ago.

“You deal with death almost daily. After caring for three generations of families, you expect people to die. But it feels different when it’s something unexpected like this,” Toriello said.

Toriello watched a similar scene just a few months ago, when Des Moines police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales was laid to rest. When Des Moines lost its officers, it was West Des Moines police who directed traffic and ensured things ran smoothly. Now, it seems, Des Moines was returning the favor, Toriello noted.

“What you see is a kind of camaraderie between those that deal with the public,” he said. “Firefighters protect you from fire; police protect you from crime; we protect you from injury.”

Flags line street near Veterans Cemetery 

Underneath a cloudy sky, hundreds of American flags were lined up in Van Meter, stretching from County Road F-90 to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Along Mill Street in Van Meter, dozens of residents lined the streets, standing tall and holding American flags as the procession passed by. The line of emergency cars took 13 minutes to pass by on their way to the cemetery.

Among the crowd were 8 members of Boy Scouts Troop 120, each holding an American flag.

"It's a tragedy," said Steve Steelman, one of the troop leaders. "They learn you've got to be out here and be thankful."

Sixty-five-year-old Carol Manley of West Des Moines held up a flag along the curb.

"Every time they put a uniform on, they don't know if they're coming home," Manley said. "You have to stand up and say you're proud of them."

W.D.M. officers lay carnations on casket 

The funeral procession ended at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, where Miller was interred.

Police officers, with black stripes over their badges to signify a fallen officer, lined up in rows to salute Miller, along with honor guards from Des Moines and West Des Moines.

Gunshots fired into the air for a 21-gun salute, and “Taps” was played.

Words were said in remembrance of Miller, and then bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”

Helicopters from Mercy and Methodist hospitals in Des Moines flew over the interment ceremony, as officers from several agencies started to leave.

But West Des Moines police officers stayed behind to one by one place white carnations on Miller’s casket.