OTTUMWA —
Southern Iowa has been touched by tragedy over the past week. A young woman in her prime, expecting her first child, is suddenly taken from her family, friends and colleagues, leaving an entire community stunned.
By all accounts, Lisa Techel was a driven young woman, dedicated to her family and her career in law enforcement. She was, without question, a shining star.
But as determined as she was, Lisa was also a woman of compassion, committed to her family and friends, as well as the children she met in the “Shop with a Cop” program.
And her energy and that beautiful smile, friends said, would light up a room.
There will be much said and reported over the course of the next several weeks and months. These will be, undoubtedly, the most difficult days for the Caldwell and Techel families.
But the community has rallied around the families with love and compassion. And in the days to come, we must continue to offer that support to help buoy the families as they navigate a treacherous sea of sadness and heartache.
Perhaps, songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman may have said it best:
When you look to the heavens ...
And a light shining bright from afar
Hope you see my face there
And then offer a prayer
And please let me be
Let me be that star
