Left to right: Police Chief John Defore, Officer Dustin Winters and Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg/Credit: Greg Bebermeyer, MSC News

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha police officer has received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Secret Service for his assistance on a protective intelligence investigation in Hiawatha on February 27th.

Police Chief John Defore presented the letter of commendation to Officer Dustin Winters during Monday evening’s City Commission meeting on behalf of special agent in charge David Stutheit. Defore said Stutheit noted that Winters went above and beyond in his work on the case and was one of the most helpful local officers his agents have worked with.

In the letter, Stutheit said Officer Winters had exceptional knowledge of the local suspects in the case, as well as useful information regarding the residence the Secret Service agents had been called to.

Stutheit added that the case went smoothly and was resolved safely due to Officer Winter’s invaluable assistance.  He commended Winters for his knowledge and professionalism.

Later in the meeting, Chief Defore requested the commission give Winters a scheduled 50-cent merit-based raise, which the commission approved.

City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the Commission that he had spoke to the three local banks and all three are interested in participating in the interim financing for the sales tax street improvement project.  Hiawatha National Bank, Citizen State Bank, and Morrill & Janes Bank will work together to fund the project at one-third each. Each individual draw that the city does will be split equally between the banks, so each will earn identical interest.