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City honors officers for lifesaving responses; detective credited in officer shooting incident
Summary
Muscatine honored officers Samantha Wheeler and Darren Ritchie for performing CPR and using an AED to revive an unresponsive person, and presented a life-saving award to Detective Matt Jackson for returning fire during a May 29, 2024 pursuit that officers said saved the life of Officer Adam Bell.
The Muscatine City Council recognized Muscatine Police Department members at its July 17 meeting for two separate life-saving incidents. The council presented life-saving awards to Officer Samantha (Sam) Wheeler and Officer Darren Ritchie for CPR and AED use on May 11, 2025, and presented an award to Cedar County Detective Matt Jackson and Officer Adam Bell for actions during a May 29, 2024 pursuit.
According to the presentation, on May 11, 2025, Officer Wheeler and Officer Ritchie responded to a medical emergency involving a woman who was unconscious and had no pulse. The officers began CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator; after a shock and continued CPR, the victim regained a pulse and was taken for additional medical care. "The quick action and teamwork of both officers were instrumental in saving the victim's life," the presenter said when presenting the awards.
The council also recognized Detective Matt Jackson and Officer Adam Bell for a separate incident in Cedar County on May 29, 2024. The presenter described a vehicle pursuit that ended when a suspect vehicle left the roadway and two suspects fled on foot and fired at pursuing officers. "Detective Matt Jackson immediately returned fire, striking both suspects," the presenter said, adding that Detective Jackson's response was credited with saving Officer Adam Bell's life. Detective Jackson spoke and thanked department leadership and family, and said the event caused emotional trauma despite no physical injury.
Awards and public remarks emphasized teamwork and department culture. Muscatine Police Chief Tony Keyes, Captain Jeff Hurack, Sheriff Warren Weddington and Chief Deputy Kevin Kanaki were named by Detective Jackson as providing post-incident support, and he thanked his colleagues and family, particularly his wife.
No disciplinary actions, policy changes or operational directives resulted from the awards presentation at the meeting; the items were ceremonial recognitions recorded on the council docket.
