AGENCY —
Authorities have confirmed the identity of a woman shot to death in rural Wapello County.
Authorities say Lisa Techel, 23, was killed near the home she shared with her husband, Seth, at 8723 Fox Hills Road southwest of Agency. They received the 911 call Saturday.
As sheriff’s deputies worked with DCI at the scene Sunday morning, Sheriff Don Kirkendall traveled to meet with the medical examiner near Des Moines. Around 4 p.m., he issued a statement.
“On May 27, 2012 an autopsy was conducted at the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, IA. The victim has been identified as 23 year old Lisa Techel of Agency, IA. Techel is the daughter of a Wapello County Deputy and was employed as a jailer at the Washington County Jail. [Full] autopsy results are pending, and the death investigation is ongoing.”
The Wapello County Sheriff’s office had waited until after the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation arrived Saturday before issuing its first statement about a shooting. While deputies were on the scene Sunday, DCI agents were still processing the crime scene at the property.
Kirkendall did not indicate whether DCI’s involvement was to provide further objectivity in the case. Though it’s not unusual to call in state police detectives on a shooting investigation, the sheriff’s office has a close connection with the victim and her family.
Besides being a reserve deputy, a correctional officer and the daughter of a deputy sheriff, her uncle is a sheriff’s dispatcher and her husband Seth, said his former co-workers, was just hired by the department as a correctional officer for the Wapello County Jail.
A suspect has not been named in the case. Chief Deputy Mark Miller did say, however, a threat to public safety is not a fear in regards to this case.
“From what we’ve seen,” said Miller, “there is nothing to indicate anyone else would be in danger.”
Miller said he was unable to provide further details.
Their home is located in a quiet, country setting. Houses of varying sizes and ages, farms, fields and gravel roads lined with trees make up the meeting point around Fox Hills, Old Agency and Lake Arrowhead roads.
It’s pretty peaceful out here, said neighbors on Fox Hills Road. One man agreed, saying area residents tend to know each other. Most get along great, he added.
But there are disagreements, just like any other neighborhood, he said. The man, who asked not to be identified, said he’s lived there 30 years, and there are one or two grumpy or mentally troubled neighbors. They tend to keep to themselves most of the time, but there have been disputes.
He said residents had been trying to avoid jumping to conclusions, but it’s been fairly well known that a neighborhood trouble maker had been in conflict with the Techels recently.
For the most part, however, it’s an area of the county where neighbors look out for one another, and people are much more likely to be good friends.
In a small law enforcement agency, people tend to become close, too. Miller said he knew Lisa and her father, and that they were good people. The update on the sheriff’s reservist web page echoes that sentiment.
“... the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office lost a member of the family. Lisa Techel ... began her service in January 2011. She was well liked and could always be found with a smile on her face. She enjoyed kids and that was obvious when it came to our Shop w/ Cop Program. Lisa’s smile along with her fun outgoing personality will be missed by many. Our hearts go out to the family and everyone else that Lisa touched ... She was taken from us way too early.”
Local News
Related Photos
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A state forensics truck stands ready Sunday as DCI investigators work with local law enforcement to process the scene at a shooting in rural Wapello County near Agency. Mark Newman/The Courier
May 28, 2012
Agency woman killed
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