Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker today (Thursday), issued a statement thanking the public, fellow law enforcement officers and many others, for the outpouring of support that followed the death of a Deputy and the wounding of another.

Sheriff Danker said in a Press Release, “On May 1, 2017 the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office became the victim of a tragic event that seriously wounded Deputy Pat Morgan and killed Deputy Mark Burbridge. Immediately following, the Sheriff’s Office family started receiving an overwhelming show of support from the citizens in the community, local businesses, surrounding city and county government, the law enforcement community both locally and nationally and the media.

“That evening, representatives of the group Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) arrived and remained with us throughout the funeral service lending their expertise and guidance to our staff. Representatives from the Omaha Police Department and Council Bluffs Police Department also came to our assistance helping with the event planning. The need for a large venue to hold the service became evident and the management team from the Mid America Center (MAC) was contacted.

“The management team dropped what they were doing to ensure the facility was prepared and the needs of the family were attended to. Going above and beyond the staff of the MAC even prepared a breakfast for all of the members of the Sheriff’s Office the morning of the funeral.

“As the week progressed the support continued to build and it became clear that we at the Sheriff’s Office are fortunate to have such a positive relationship with so many. During Deputy Burbridge’s funeral services, there were law enforcement representatives from all over the country paying their respects and offering support to Marks family and to the Sheriff’s Office. The public and dignitary attendance at the service was again another testimony to the wonderful support.

“As the funeral procession left the MAC being led by motor units from the metro area and being followed hundreds of patrol cars that fell into line, we were immediately met with men, women and children lining the sides of the road. Signs bearing words of support and thanking Deputy Burbridge for his service were everywhere. There were flags being waved and many businesses and their employees lined the procession route. Traffic control for the procession was handled by many different entities, both law enforcement, Council Bluffs Public Works and County Engineers.

“The Sheriff’s Office would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone that has visited the memorial, the visitations, brought food to the office and assisted in the planning of the funeral, giving Deputy Burbridge the services and respect he deserves.

“I would like to thank the Council Bluffs Department, Council Bluffs Fire Department, CHI Creighton University Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigations, United States Attorney Generals Office, Mid America Center, Hoy Kilnoski Funeral home and all of the men and women of our law enforcement family that came to the services or sent words of encouragement and support.”