Schmitz Stabbed In Prison

SCHMITZ

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 12/9/2008 at 21:41:23

Maquoketa Community Press
February 25, 1975

Berendes’ Killer is Stabbed

Richard E. Schmitz, Dubuque, who was serving a 75-year sentence on a second degree murder conviction in the April 1969 beating death of Bellevue Police Chief Earle E. Berendes, was stabbed Friday, Feb. 21, at the Iowa State Penitentiary, Ft. Madison.

According to officials Schmitz received a single stab wound in the front of his body and is a patient at Sacred Heart Hospital, Ft. Madison, Friday night.

The Iowa Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) continues the probe.

Reports indicate that the stabbing occurred about 4 p.m. Friday on an interior stairway in a building used as a meeting place for self-help prison groups. At the time of the stabbing Schmitz was walking into his cell house from a work assignment in the building.

After the stabbing he reportedly walked into the hospital for treatment.

The Bellevue chief of police was beaten to death with a ditching spade on April 17, 1969 in the Achen Garage, Bellevue. In October of 1969 Schmitz and William Sweeney, also of Dubuque, were sentenced to 75 years in the state penitentiary on second degree murder charges.

Sweeney was later paroled and then returned to prison following a parole violation.

Schmitz’ stabbing marks the fifth in recent months at the prison.