Hoeck, Elmer E. (Jim) 1908-1988

HOECK, FOX

Posted By: Plymouth CC
Date: 2/13/2004 at 21:19:37

Insights: A Life of Service
by Al Portner, Publisher

A fine man passed from among us this week. I did not have the pleasure of knowing him. I am told Jim Hoeck was the kind of friendly cop on the beat and police chief we imagine only in movies.

He was tall, genial man in a blue uniform. Jim became a policeman in 1943, served as a military policeman and returned to LeMars to operate Flossie's Restaurant with his bride. In 1962, he became night captain of the LeMars Police Department and later its chief until his retirement in 1975.

Jim will be remembered as much for his work with youth as for his service as chief. Jim took the time to be friendly to toddlers and teenagers alike. Helping youngsters through the trauma of growing up became Jim's specialty. He always insisted that only a very small minority of "rotten apples" got in trouble. He like to describe the several generations of teenagers who grew up under his watchful eye as "decent."

Always a friendly smile. Always a kind word. Always a helping hand. After retirement, Jim might be found smoking the ever present pipe, sipping his coffee, still smiling, still talking, still serving.

Jim is gone. I'm sure all those "decent" teenagers over the years would offer the same epitaph for Jim. He was a decent man. No higher praise can be heaped on a lifetime. I'm sure my life is poorer for not having had the opportunity to have known him.

Funeral for Former Police Chief is Tuesday

Elmer E (Jim) Hoeck, 80, former longtime police officer and chief of the department died Sunday (Nov 6, 1988) at Plymouth Manor Care Center after a long illness.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Le Mars Memorial Cemetery under direction of the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Rev. David Kramer will officiate.

Mr. Hoeck was born Mar 11, 1908, in Seneca Township, Kossuth County, Iowa to Henry and Ellen Beitz Hoeck. He married Florence Fox Mar. 1, 1930. at Swea City.

He served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946. He and his wife owned and operated the Le Mars Cafe for 13 years. He joined the Le Mars Police Department in 1962 and served as chief of police from 1968 to 1975, when he retired.

Survivors include his wife, Florence of Le Mars; a son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Monica Hoeck of Le Mars; a grandson James M. Hoeck of Le Mars; two sisters, Mrs. Henrietta Goff od Des Moines and Mrs. Alice Schroeder of Brainerd, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and four sisters.