ANALISA TROFIMUK
DREW ZIMMERMAN
Ava Petersen says she inherited a number of wonderful traits from her father, Eric, such as his deep love for animals, fishing and spending time in nature.
kAmqFE @?6 @7 E96 36DE E9:?8D 96 A2DD65 5@H? E@ 96C H2D 9:D A2DD:@? 7@C 4@@<:?8] $96 D2JD D96 42? DE:== 962C 9:D H@C5D @7 25G:46i “}6G6C >62DFC6] *@F 2=H2JD 6J632== :E 2?5 5@ :E H:E9 J@FC 962CE]Qk^Am
kAmpG2 !6E6CD6? C6BF6DE65 96C 525’D DA64:2=EJ 6G6CJ J62C 7@C 96C 3:CE952Ji >62E32==D 5C6?4965 :? >2C:?2C2 D2F46 @? 2 82C=:4 9@28:6 C@==] qFE D96 H:== ?6G6C 282:? 36 23=6 E@ 6IA6C:6?46 @?6 @7 96C 72E96C’D 56=:4:@FD 9@>6>256 >62=D]k^Am
kAm~? yF?6 `b[ a_aa[ tC:4 !6E6CD6? 5:65 :? x==:?@:DV #@4< xD=2?5 r@F?EJ y2:= 7C@> <6E@24:5@D:D — 2 4@>A=:42E:@? @7 5:236E6D E92E @44FCD 5F6 E@ 2 =24< @7 :?DF=:?] !6E6CD6?[ ce[ H2D D6CG:?8 2 7:G6\52J D6?E6?46 7@C 2? 2=4@9@=\C6=2E65 s&x 492C86]k^Am
kAm!6E6CD6?VD 72>:=J D2:5 E92E 96 2CC:G65 2E E96 ;2:= H:E9 A2A6CH@C< 7C@> 9:D 5@4E@C C6BF:C:?8 7C6BF6?E 3=@@5 DF82C >@?:E@C:?8 2?5 E96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? @7 >65:42E:@?D E@ EC62E 9:D 5:236E6D]k^Am
kAmsFC:?8 9:D E:>6 2E E96 724:=:EJ[ !6E6CD6? C6BF6DE65 @? D6G6C2= @442D:@?D 7@C 9:D 3=@@5 DF82C E@ 36 4964<65[ 3FE E9@D6 C6BF6DED H6C6 :8?@C65 3J ;2:= DE277[ E96 =2HDF:E 2==686D] w6 3682? D9@H:?8 DJ>AE@>D D:8?2=:?8 D6C:@FD >65:42= 4@?46C?D DF49 2D G@>:E:?8 2?5 92==F4:?2E:@?D] %96 72E96C @7 EH@ H2D 7@F?5 F?C6DA@?D:G6 :? 9:D 46== E9C66 52JD :?E@ 9:D 7:G6\52J D6?E6?46]k^Am
kAm!2EC:4:2 z6:E6=[ tC:4’D >@E96C[ 7:=65 E96 =2HDF:E :? |2J a_ac 282:?DE #@4< xD=2?5 r@F?EJ y2:= 2?5 |t?s r@CC64E:@?2= r2C6[ E96 ;2:=’D 962=E942C6 AC@G:56C 2E E96 E:>6] %96 42D6 :D DE:== A6?5:?8 2D @7 s64] g] %96 AC:G2E6 962=E942C6 4@>A2?J 7:=65 7@C 32?<CFAE4J D:I >@?E9D 27E6C !6E6CD6?’D 562E9] k^Am
Patricia Keitel shows off a scrapbook and other photos of her son Eric Petersen in her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
KATELYN METZGER
kAm|t?s[ 32D65 :? |:??6D@E2[ :D @?6 @7 D6G6C2= 7@C\AC@7:E 962=E9 42C6 4@>A2?:6D E92E 4@?EC24E H:E9 ;2:=D 2?5 AC:D@?D :? x==:?@:D 2?5 24C@DD E96 4@F?ECJ] z6:E6= 2?5 @E96C 72>:=:6D @7 :?>2E6D H9@ 92G6 5:65 :? ;2:= D2J 4@DE D2G:?8D AFCDF65 3J E96D6 4@>A2?:6D 92G6 4@>AC@>:D65 >65:42= 42C6 :? ;2:=D] r@>A2?J @77:4:2=D 5:5?VE C6DA@?5 E@ C6BF6DED 7@C 4@>>6?E] k^Am
kAm“%96:C A6??J\A:?49:?8 4@DE >J D@? 9:D =:76[” z6:E6= D2:5]k^Am
kAm#@4< xD=2?5 r@F?EJ $96C:77 s2CC6? w2CE D2:5 96 4@F=5 ?@E 4@>>6?E @? A6?5:?8 =:E:82E:@?[ 3FE AC@G:565 :?7@C>2E:@? @? E96 4@F?EJ’D 4FCC6?E 962=E942C6 AC@G:56C[ p5G2?465 r@CC64E:@?2= w62=E942C6 WprwX[ 2 AC:G2E6 962=E942C6 4@>A2?J E92E 4@?EC24ED H:E9 @G6C 92=7 @7 E96 DE2E6’D ;2:=D] {66 t?E6CAC:D6D !F3=:4 $6CG:46 y@FC?2=:D> %62> 2?5 E96 !2?E28C2A9 AC6G:@FD=J DA@<6 H:E9 prw rt~ 2?5 !C6D:56?E y6DD:42 *@F?8] *@F?8 H@F=5 ?@E 28C66 E@ 2? :?E6CG:6H 2?5 H@F=5 @?=J 2?DH6C BF6DE:@?D G:2 6>2:=] (96? E96 E62> C624965 @FE 282:? 62C=:6C E9:D J62C 7@C 7@==@H FA[ E96 C6BF6DED 7@C 4@>>6?E H6?E F?2?DH6C65]k^Am
kAmx?67764E:G6 EC62E>6?E 7@C E96 49C@?:4 >65:42= 4@?5:E:@?D @7 ;2:= 56E2:?66D 92D 4@?EC:3FE65 E@ E96 :?;FCJ @C 562E9 @7 A6@A=6 2== 24C@DD E96 DE2E6[ 2 >@?E9D\=@?8 :?G6DE:82E:@? 3J {66 t?E6CAC:D6DV !F3=:4 $6CG:46 y@FC?2=:D> %62> 2?5 %96 !2?E28C2A9 7@F?5]k^Am
k9amr@?7:C>:?8 9@DA:E2=:K2E:@?k^9am
kAmx? D@>6 x==:?@:D ;2:=D[ =:<6 E9@D6 E92E 4@?EC24E H:E9 p5G2?465 r@CC64E:@?2= w62=E942C6[ @?6 @7 E96 =2C86DE AC@G:56CD @7 >65:42= 2?5 >6?E2= 962=E9 D6CG:46D 7@C 4@F?EJ ;2:=D[ 4@CC64E:@?2= DE277 2C6 6?4@FC2865 E@ D6?5 :?>2E6D E@ E96 9@DA:E2= :7 E96C6 :D 2?J 4@?46C? @G6C D@>6@?6 ?665:?8 >65:42= 2EE6?E:@? E96 ;2:= :D ?@E 6BF:AA65 E@ 25>:?:DE6C]k^Am
kAm“prw 92D 2 C6AFE2E:@? 7@C ‘5@:?8 E96 C:89E E9:?8]’ x? 255:E:@? E@ 36:?8 <?@H? 7@C @FC >@EE@[ E96 VH96? :? 5@F3E[ D6?5 E96> @FE’ A@=:4J C676CD E@ ;2:= DE277 D6?5:?8 :?>2E6D E@ E96 9@DA:E2= :7 E96:C >65:42= ?665D 42??@E 36 >6E 2E E96 ;2:=[” prw !C6D:56?E 2?5 rt~ y6DD:42 *@F?8 D2:5]k^Am
kAm%92E DJDE6> :D?VE A6C764E] x? a_`f[ s2G:5 qC@H? H2D 3@@<65 :? E96 (@@57@C5 r@F?EJ y2:=[ H9:49 4@?EC24ED H:E9 prw[ 7@C 5C:G:?8 @? 2 DFDA6?565 =:46?D6 2?5 H2D D6?E6?465 E@ D6CG6 ac_ 52JD :? ;2:=]k^Am
kAmqC@H?[ H9@ DF776C65 7C@> 2 AC@DE2E6 4@?5:E:@? E92E C6BF:C65 9:> E@ D6=7\42E96E6C:K6 52:=J[ DE2CE65 E@ 4@>A=2:? @7 “`_^`_ 7=2?< A2:?” H:E9:? 2 H66< @7 9:D 56E6?E:@?[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 =2HDF:E 7:=65 3J 9:D D@?] w:D 4@?5:E:@? H@CD6?65 @G6C E96 ?6IE H66<[ 2?5 96 H2D F?23=6 E@ 42E96E6C:K6[ FC:?2E6[ 62E @C DE2?5]k^Am
kAms6DA:E6 >F=E:A=6 C6BF6DED E@ 8@ E@ E96 9@DA:E2=[ 2?5 H:E9 r2C=6 tFC6<2 w@DA:E2= 36:?8 24C@DD E96 DEC66E 7C@> E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A2?E28C2A9]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^4C:>6\4@FCED^2CE:4=6043ga3_4a\6bfg\``67\ga`2\`bh3cacag53d]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm(@@57@C5 r@F?EJ y2:=k^2m[ qC@H? 5:65 `d 52JD 27E6C 9:D 3@@<:?8]k^Am
kAmp? 2FE@ADJ 56E6C>:?65 E92E qC@H? 5:65 @7 “6>:?6?E=J AC6G6?E23=6 42FD6D” 2?5 E92E 9:D 3=2556C 4@?E2:?65 2AAC@I:>2E6=J EC:A=6 E96 2>@F?E @7 FC:?6 2? 2G6C286 >2=6 3=2556C 42? DE@C6]k^Am
kAm(@@57@C5 r@F?EJ 28C665 E@ A2J 2 C@F89=J Sd__[___ D6EE=6>6?E :? a_`h[ 2?5 E96 42D6 H2D 5:D>:DD65 H:E9 AC6;F5:46 282:?DE 4@F?EJ 2?5 prw 5676?52?ED :? a_a_] u@C>6C (@@57@C5 r@F?EJ y2:= $FA6C:?E6?56?E s6??:D (6CEK D2:5 96 5@6D?VE C642== 2?J ;2:= AC@465FC6D 492?8:?8 7@==@H:?8 E96 D6EE=6>6?E] w6 D2:5 DE277 925 7@==@H65 2== AC@A6C AC@465FC6D 2E E96 E:>6]k^Am
kAm*@F?8 D2:5 D96 4@F=5?VE DA62< 23@FE DA64:7:4 :?>2E6D 2?5 E96:C >65:42= 42C6 5F6 E@ AC:G24J 4@?46C?D]k^Am
kAm*@F?8 D2:5 4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46CD :? prw 724:=:E:6D 42? AC@G:56 >65:42= 42C6 @C C676C :?>2E6D 7@C 42C6 H:E9@FE 2? 2AAC@G2= AC@46DD[ H9:49 42? >62? :?>2E6D C646:G6 DA64:2=EJ 42C6 QD:8?:7:42?E=J 72DE6CQ E92? E96 86?6C2= AF3=:4]k^Am
k9am%C2:?:?8 2?5 C6E2:?:?8 DE277k^9am
kAmq67@C6 H@C<:?8 7@C E96:C C6DA64E:G6 4@F?EJ[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A2?E28C2A9]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^8@G6C?>6?E\A@=:E:4D^2CE:4=606f5h73be\5246\``65\3dh2\h3554g`3cge3]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46CD :? x==:?@:D 2C6 C6BF:C65k^2m E@ 4@>A=6E6 2? 6:89E\H66< EC2:?:?8 4@FCD6 E92E :?4=F56D >65:42= 2?5 >6?E2= 962=E9 EC2:?:?8 DF49 2D 7:CDE 2:5 2?5 r!#] ~?6 @7 E96 =@42E:@?D @776C:?8 E92E EC2:?:?8 :D E96 |24@? r@F?EJ x==:?@:D s6A2CE>6?E @7 r@CC64E:@?D %C2:?:?8 r6?E6C :? s642EFC[ x==:?@:D]k^Am
kAm$E2E6 =2H 2=D@ C6BF:C6D 7F==\E:>6 4@CC64E:@?2= @77:46CD E@ C646:G6 EC2:?:?8 :? :56?E:7J:?8 2?5 >2?28:?8 56E2:?66D H:E9 2 >6?E2= :==?6DD @C 56G6=@A>6?E2= 5:D23:=:EJ] p??F2= EC2:?:?8 3J @C 2AAC@G65 3J >6?E2= 962=E9 AC@76DD:@?2=D @? DF:4:56 AC6G6?E:@? 2?5 >6?E2= 962=E9 :DDF6D :D 2=D@ C6BF:C65]k^Am
Lt. Jamie Belcher with the Sherriff's Office at the Macon County Jail in Decatur.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
kAm“p== @7 @FC @77:46CD 2C6 EC2:?65 @? 32D:4 =:76 D2G:?8 E649?:BF6D[” |24@? r@F?EJ {E] y2>:6 q6=496C D2:5] “x7 E96C6 :D 2? 6>6C86?4J[ AC6EEJ >F49 6G6CJ@?6 E92E’D 7C66 7=@@5D E@ E92E D46?6[ C6?56CD H92E6G6C 2:5 :D ?646DD2CJ 2?5 E96? E96 42== :D >256] s@ H6 ;FDE ?665 E@ >@G6 E96> D@ E92E E9:D =:EE=6 :DDF6 C6D@=G6D :ED6=7n ~C 5@ H6 ?665 :>>65:2E6 6>6C86?4J EC62E>6?En p?5 2E E92E A@:?E[ E96 h`` 42== 8@6D @FE]”k^Am
kAmr@?EC24ED ;2:=D 92G6 H:E9 E9:C5 A2CEJ >65:42= AC@G:56CD >2J 2=D@ 92G6 @AE:@?D 7@C 255:E:@?2= EC2:?:?8]k^Am
kAm$@>6 prw 4@?EC24ED C6BF:C6 E96 4@>A2?J E@ AC@G:56 >65:42= 65F42E:@? 2?5 EC2:?:?8 7@C DE277[ :?4=F5:?8 E2<:?8 3=@@5 AC6DDFC6[ 25>:?:DE6C:?8 :?DF=:? 2?5 :56?E:7J:?8 D:8?D 2?5 >2?286>6?E @7 :?5:G:5F2=D H:E9 5:D23:=:E:6D]k^Am
kAm“(6 2C6 E96 36DE AC@3=6> D@=G6CD :? E96 :?5FDECJ[” *@F?8 D2:5] “~? :?7@C>2E:@? 2?5 36=:67[ @FC E62> 92D >@C6 4@>3:?65 6IA6C:6?46 :? 4@CC64E:@?2= 962=E9 42C6[ =2H 6?7@C46>6?E[ >6?E2= 962=E9 2?5 7@C6?D:4D E92? 2?J @E96C @C82?:K2E:@?]”k^Am
kAmw@H6G6C[ E96J 2=@?8 H:E9 D6G6C2= @E96C AC@G:56CD 92G6 366? :?G@=G65 :? 5@K6?D @7 =2HDF:ED 2?5 D6EE=6>6?ED 24C@DD E96 4@F?ECJ[ D6G6C2= @7 H9:49 :?G@=G65 x==:?@:D :?>2E6D]k^Am
kAm*@F?8 D2:5 :?42C46C2E65 A6@A=6 7:=6 2 5:DAC@A@CE:@?2E6=J 9:89 ?F>36C @7 =2HDF:ED[ H9:49 >2<6D 962=E9 42C6 AC@76DD:@?2=DV ;@3D 92C56C] “uC:G@=@FD =2HDF:ED[ 4@>3:?65 H:E9 E96 ?682E:G6 >65:2 A@CEC2J2= @7 @FC :?5FDECJ[ 4@?E:?F6 E@ 56E6C >2?J 962=E9 42C6 AC@76DD:@?2=D 7C@> H@C<:?8 :? 4@CC64E:@?D] %96 =:76D2G:?8 6G6?ED 2?5 A@D:E:G6 :>A24ED E92E AC@G:56CD 249:6G6 :? 4@CC64E:@?2= 962=E942C6 C2C6=J 86E E96 2EE6?E:@? E92E E96J 56D6CG6]”k^Am
kAmw62E9 42C6 4@G6C286 :? 4@CC64E:@?2= D6EE:?8D :D 7FCE96C 6I246C32E65 3J AC@;64E65 ?FCD:?8 D9@CE286D]k^Am
kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ 2 C6A@CE C6=62D65 :? a_ac 3J C6D62C496CD 2E E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 x==:?@:D 2E &C32?2\r92>A2:8? 2?5 E96 x==:?@:D t4@?@>:4 !@=:4J x?DE:EFE6[ E96 DE2E6 :D AC@;64E65 E@ D66 2 D9@CE286 @7 `d[___ C68:DE6C65 ?FCD6D :? x==:?@:D :? a_ad] %96 DFCG6J 2=D@ 7@F?5 E92E bcT @7 6I:DE:?8 #}D D2J E96J A=2? E@ =62G6 E96 AC@76DD:@? :? E96 ?6IE EH6=G6 >@?E9D]k^Am
kAm“&?7@CEF?2E6=J[ H:E9 E96 ?FCD:?8 4C:D:D 8@:?8 @? 2== @G6C E96 4@F?ECJ[ ECJ:?8 E@ 7:?5 A6@A=6 E@ H@C< :?D:56 E96 724:=:EJ 92D 366? ;FDE 2D 92C5 2D ECJ:?8 E@ 7:?5 D@>63@5J E@ H@C< :?D:56 @7 2 9@DA:E2=[” q6=496C D2:5] “]]]D@>6 @7 E96 DE:8>2 E92EVD 369:?5 :E :D ‘@9[ >J 8@5[ E96 ;2:=D 2C6 52?86C@FD[ 5:CEJ[ ?2DEJ A=246D E@ H@C< :?]’ ~?46 E96 ?FCD6D 86E 96C6[ E96J 7:?5 @FE @9[ :EVD ?@E[ :EVD 24EF2==J BF:E6 4=62?]’”k^Am
kAmq6=496C 25565 E92E 2?@E96C C@253=@4< :? 9:C:?8 :D 92G:?8 E@ >2E49 @C 362E k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A2?E28C2A9]4@>^?6HD^?2E:@?\H@C=5^3FD:?6DD^A6CD@?2=\7:?2?46^2CE:4=6032`d33ba\7db3\d75e\2hb_\bcadg4gg7hgd]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmE96 D2=2C:6D @7 EC2G6=:?8 ?FCD6Dk^2m]k^Am
Medical Unit of the Macon County Jail
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
kAm“(6 92G6 286?4J ?FCD6D E92E 4@>6 :? 96C6 E@ 7:== :? 82AD 2?5 E96JVC6 >2<:?8 g_ 3F4<D 2?
9@FC [” 96 D2:5] “(96C6 E96 ?FCD6D 2C6 ,96C6. 2C6 >2<:?8 Sc_ E@ Sd_ 2?
9@FC ] $@[ E96C6VD ?@ H2J E92E H6 42? 4@>A6E6 H:E9 E92E]”k^Am
k9amp55C6DD:?8 G2C:23:=:EJk^9am
kAm$E2E6 =2H AC@G:56D D@>6 @G6CD:89E @7 4@F?EJ ;2:=D C682C5:?8 962=E9 42C6] qFE DE277:?8 =6G6=D[ D9:7E =6?8E9D 2?5 @E96C DE2?52C5D >2J 36 56E6C>:?65 3J E96 4@?EC24E 36EH66? 2 4@F?EJ 2?5 2 E9:C5\A2CEJ AC@G:56C]k^Am
kAm|6=:DD2 r2=5H6==[ AC6D:56?E @7 3692G:@C2= 962=E9 D6CG:46D 7@C uC665@> q692G:@C2= w62=E9[ H9:49 @7E6? 4@==23@C2E6D H:E9 prw E@ AC@G:56 3692G:@C2= 962=E9 D6CG:46D E@ ;2:=D[ D2:5 prw EC:6D E@ 4FDE@>:K6 :ED AC@8C2>>:?8[ DE277:?8 2?5 D6CG:46D E@ E96 ?665D @7 E96 724:=:EJ 2?5 4@>>F?:EJ]k^Am
kAmQu@C 6I2>A=6[ J@FV== 4@>6 :?E@ @FC 724:=:EJ 2?5 H6 >2J 36 H@C<:?8 6=3@H E@ 6=3@H H:E9 2 4@>>F?:EJ >6?E2= 962=E9 46?E6C[ H9@ :D :? E96 ;2:=[ 2?5 E96? H6 >2J 92G6 2?@E96C 724:=:EJ E92E 5@6D?VE 92G6 E92E D2>6 286?4J @C DJDE6> D6E FA 2?5 H6 >2J 36 5@:?8 E96 3F=< @7 E9:?8D[Q r2=5H6== D2:5] Q$@ E96C6 42? 36 5:776C6?E 4@?7:8FC2E:@?D]Qk^Am
kAmp? prw 4@?EC24E 2AAC@G65 :? a_a_ 7@C r@=6D r@F?EJ AC@G:56D 7@C @?\D:E6 ?FCD:?8 4@G6C286 7@C c_ 9@FCD 2 H66< @? 2 D4965F=6 2AAC@G65 3J E96 4@F?EJ] "F2=:7:65 >6?E2= 962=E9 AC@76DD:@?2=D 2C6 @? D:E6 D:I 9@FCD 2 H66<] p=E9@F89 2 A9JD:4:2? @C 25G2?465 AC24E:E:@?6C :D @?=J C6BF:C65 E@ G:D:E E96 ;2:= H66<=J[ E96J 2C6 4@?EC24E65 E@ 36 @? 42== 2C@F?5 E96 4=@4<]k^Am
kAmw@H6G6C[ 2 a_a_ prw 4@?EC24E H:E9 E96 |24@FA:? r@F?EJ y2:=[ H9:49 C6A@CE65 E96 D2>6 @G6C2== :?>2E6 A@AF=2E:@? 2D r@=6D r@F?EJ :? :ED a_a_ x==:?@:D s6A2CE>6?E @7 r@CC64E:@?D :?DA64E:@?[ 42==D 7@C @?\D:E6 {!} 4@G6C286 7@C a_ 9@FCD 2 H66< @? 2 D4965F=6 2AAC@G65 3J E96 4@F?EJ]k^Am
kAm(66<=J G:D:ED 7C@> A9JD:4:2?D @C 25G2?465 AC24E:E:@?6CD H6C6 ?@E HC:EE6? :?E@ |24@FA:? r@F?EJ’D 4@?EC24E 3FE 3692G:@C2= 962=E9 4@?46C?D H6C6 E@ 36 C676CC65 E@ E96 {@4FDE $EC66E #6D@FC46 r6?E6C]k^Am
kAm|24@? r@F?EJVD 4@?EC24E H:E9 "rwr[ >62?H9:=6[ 5@6D ?@E DA64:7J 9@H @7E6? >65:42= DE277 ?665 E@ 36 @? D:E6] x?DE625[ E96 28C66>6?E C6BF:C6D C68:DE6C65 ?FCD6D[ =:46?D65 AC24E:42= ?FCD6D 2?5 >6?E2= 962=E9 AC@76DD:@?2=D E@ 36 @? D:E6 7@C A6C:@5D @7 E:>6 “DF77:4:6?E E@ 244@>A=:D9 E96 @3;64E:G6D @7 E9:D 28C66>6?E]” p?E:4:A2E65 DE277:?8 =6G6=D 2C6 7@C @?6 962=E9 D6CG:46 25>:?:DEC2E@C H@C<:?8 c_ 9@FCD 2 H66<[ @?6 >6?E2= 962=E9 AC@76DD:@?2= H@C<:?8 c_ 9@FCD 2 H66<[ C68:DE6C65 ?FCD6D H@C<:?8 be 9@FCD 2 H66< 24C@DD E9C66 52JD[ @?6 {!} H@C<:?8 be 9@FCD 2 H66< 2?5 2?@E96C {!} H@C<:?8 ac 9@FCD 2 H66<]k^Am
kAm%96 =24< @7 DE2?52C5:K65 962=E9 42C6 CF=6D 2>@?8 4@F?EJ ;2:=D 364@>6D 2AA2C6?E H96? 2? :?>2E6 :D EC2?D76CC65 36EH66? E96>] $F49 >@G6D 4@F=5 =625 E@ >65:42E:@? 492?86D 2?5 E96 =@DD @7 DFAA=6>6?E2= D6CG:46D 56A6?5:?8 @? E96 AC@G:56C 2?5 C6D@FC46D 2G2:=23=6 2E 6249 ;2:=]k^Am
kAmx? a_ab[ E96 |4{62? r@F?EJ y2:= H2D 7@C465 E@ EC2?D76C C@F89=J 2 BF2CE6C @7 :ED :?>2E6 A@AF=2E:@? E@ E96 {2$2==6 r@F?EJ y2:= 7@C C@F89=J 6:89E >@?E9D 5F6 E@ 4@CC64E:@?D @77:46C D9@CE286D]k^Am
Medical Unit of the McLean County Jail
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
kAm|4{62? 4@?EC24ED H:E9 prw H9:=6 {2$2==6 4@?EC24ED H:E9 (6==A2E9[ 2?5 E9@D6 4@?EC24ED C67=64E 5:776C6?E 568C66D @7 @G6CD:89E 2?5 EC62E>6?E]k^Am
kAm(:E9:? EH@ >@?E9D[ {2$2==6 r@F?EJ y2:= $FA6C:?E6?56?E y2D@? t5864@>3 C6A@CE65 E92E 2 8C:6G2?46 925 366? 7:=65 3J 2 EC2?D76CC65 56E2:?66 4=2:>:?8 E92E E96 >65:42E:@? 96 H2D AC6D4C:365 :? |4{62? 5:5 ?@E 7@==@H 9:> E@ {2$2==6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 6>2:=D @3E2:?65 G:2 E96 uC665@> @7 x?7@C>2E:@? p4E]k^Am
kAmQw6 :D G6CJ 4@?46C?65 2?5 DE2E6D E92E 96 5@6D ?665 E9:D >65:42E:@?[Q t5864@>3 D2:5]k^Am
kAmt5864@>3 D2:5 E92E F?=:<6 {2$2==6[ |4{62? r@F?EJ 92D 2 5:C64E DFA6CG:D:@? ;2:=[ H9:49 2==@HD 4@CC64E:@?D @77:46CD E@ 92G6 @?6\@?\@?6 DFA6CG:D:@? @7 :?>2E6D H96? E96J 6?E6C 2?5 6I:E E96:C 46==D]k^Am
kAmp H66< AC:@C E@ E9:D :?4:56?E[ |4{62? r@F?EJ 925 2CC2?865 E96 C6EFC? @7 @?6 @7 E96:C :?>2E6D E@ 36 C6A=2465 3J 2?@E96C 56E2:?66 H9@ H2D ?@E @? >65:42E:@?]k^Am
kAm$E277 2E E96 {2$2==6 r@F?EJ y2:=[ H9:49 5@6D ?@E 92G6 2 4@?EC24E 56?E:DE E@ D6CG6 :ED :?>2E6 A@AF=2E:@?[ 2=D@ C6A@CE65 :DDF6D 4@??64E:?8 |4{62? r@F?EJ :?>2E6D H:E9 56?E2= D6CG:46D]k^Am
kAmx? |2C49 a_ab[ t5864@>3 925 C6A@CE65 @?6 :?>2E6 H9@ H2D 4@>A=2:?:?8 @7 E@@E9 A2:?] w6 H2D AFE @? E96 =:DE @7 A2E:6?ED E@ 36 D66? 3J |4{62?VD 4@?EC24E65 56?E:DE 2 H66< =2E6C]k^Am
kAmQx 5@?VE 42C6 23@FE 9:D 3692G:@C :DDF6D[ H6 42? 562= H:E9 E92E[ 3FE x 5@?VE H2?E E@ D66 D@>6@?6 DF776C H:E9 A2:? :7 J@F 8FJD 92G6 E96 23:=:EJ E@ 92?5=6 E96 E@@E9 AC@3=6>D[Q t5864@>3 HC@E6 E@ E96 4@F?EJ]k^Am
kAmt5864@>3 925 C6A@CE65 2?@E96C EH@ :?>2E6D 4@>A=2:?:?8 @7 E@@E9 A2:? 2?5 C6BF6DE:?8 2 56?E:DE :? yF?6 3FE 925 25G:D65 E92E E96J >2J 92G6 E96:C @H? 56?E2= D6CG:46D 3J pF8FDE] p=E9@F89 {2$2==6’D a_ac ;2:= :?DA64E:@? C6A@CE65 E92E 2CC2?86>6?ED 2C6 >256 7@C 56E2:?66D E@ 92G6 2446DD E@ 6>6C86?4J 56?E2= 42C6[ ?@ AC@G:56C H2D =:DE65]k^Am
kAm{2H 6?7@C46>6?E[ C67@C> 25G@42E6D 2?5 =68:D=2E@CD 28C66 E92E ;F88=:?8 E96 56>2?5 @7 962=E942C6 D6CG:46D :D ?@E D@>6E9:?8 E92E 42? 36 C66G2=F2E65 @G6C?:89E] p ?F>36C @7 :DDF6D 92G6 E@ 36 4@?D:56C65[ 7F?5:?8 36:?8 @?6 @7 E96 3:886DE DE:4<:?8 A@:?ED]k^Am
kAm“x? E96 DE2E6 @7 x==:?@:D[ H96? J@F AFE E96D6 EJA6D @7 C6DA@?D:3:=:E:6D @? =2H 6?7@C46>6?E[ E96C6 92D E@ 36 2 7F?5:?8 >6492?:D> 7@C FD E@ <66A FA H:E9 W:EX[” D2:5 w2CE] “xE H:== ?6G6C 564C62D6[ :E H:== 4@?E:?F6 E@ 8@ FA H:E9 E96 =6G6= @7 42C6 E92E H6’C6 ECJ:?8 E@ AC@G:56[” w2CE D2:5]k^Am
k9am‘%96J 72:=65 9:>’k^9am
kAm!6E6CD6? 7@C D@>6 E:>6 925 DECF88=65 H:E9 2? 255:4E:@? E@ 2=4@9@=[ 3FE H2D >2<:?8 2 4@?46CE65 677@CE @? >@G:?8 9:D =:76 :? 2 A@D:E:G6 5:C64E:@?] s6DA:E6 9:D FA9:== 32EE=6 H:E9 2=4@9@=[ E9@D6 4=@D6DE E@ 9:> D2:5 96 H2D 2 =@G:?8 D@? 2?5 :?G@=G65 72E96C E@ 9:D 52F89E6C 2?5 D@?[ `e\J62C\@=5 D@?[ r2=63]k^Am
kAm!6E6CD6? H2D @? 2 A@D:E:G6 EC2;64E@CJ 7@C 9:D C@25 E@ C64@G6CJ] w6 H2D A2CE:4:A2E:?8 :? 2 =@42= DFAA@CE 8C@FA[ H2D =62?:?8 :?E@ 9:D 72:E9[ 2?5 925 366? C6D:5:?8 :? 2 D@36C =:G:?8 724:=:EJ ?62C E96 "F25\r:E:6D =625:?8 FA E@ 9:D 562E9]k^Am
kAm“w6 H2D 86EE:?8 9:D D@3C:6EJ 49:AD 2?5 H2D D@ 6I4:E65[” 9:D 52F89E6C D2:5] “]]]w6 H2D 86EE:?8 @? E96 EC24<]”k^Am
kAmz6:E6= D2:5 96C D@? H2D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A2?E28C2A9]4@>^2CE:4=60_6hh2gga\2e77\daa4\h3ag\_bacg_ggah2d]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm7:CDE 5:28?@D65 H:E9 %JA6 ` 5:236E6Dk^2m H96? 96 H2D `a[ H9:49 H2D 2C@F?5 E96 D2>6 E:>6 H96? 96 3682? 6IA6C:6?4:?8 :DDF6D C6=2E65 E@ 9:D >6?E2= 962=E9] $:?46 E96?[ 96 92D 2=H2JD DE2J65 @? E@A @7 >@?:E@C:?8 9:D 3=@@5 DF82C 2?5 =2E6C 5:5 E96 D2>6 7@C 9:D 52F89E6C]k^Am
kAm“(92E x >:DD >@DE 9@?6DE=J :D E96 A9@?6 42==D[” D2:5 pG2[ 255:?8 E92E D96 :D 2=D@ 2 EJA6 @?6 5:236E:4] $96 D2:5 96 H@F=5 7C6BF6?E=J 42== 96C E@ 2D< 23@FE D49@@= 2?5 9@H 96C 3=@@5 DF82C =6G6=D H6C6 5@:?8]k^Am
kAm$96 36=:6G6D E96 ;2:= 72:=65 96C 525]k^Am
kAm“w6 925 C6A62E65=J 2D<65 7@C 96=A 3642FD6 96 H2D?VE 766=:?8 8@@5] w6 <?6H 96 H2D 86EE:?8 D:4<] w6 <?6H D@>6E9:?8 H2D HC@?8[” D96 D2:5]k^Am
Photos of Eric Petersen, along with his two kids, fill a small memorial in Patricia Keitel's home. Erin Petersen, his wife, mentioned that he was a very hands on father.
KATELYN METZGER
kAm!6E6CD6? H2D :? E96 D2>6 ;2:= :? pF8FDE a_a` H96? 96 ?62C=J 6D42A65 2 72E2= >65:42= :DDF6 3642FD6 @7 E96 DE277’D 72:=FC6 E@ AC@A6C=J >@?:E@C 9:D 3=@@5 DF82C =6G6=D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 =2HDF:E 7:=65 3J 9:D >@E96C] %92E 6IA6C:6?46 H2D H92E =65 9:> E@ >2<:?8 DFC6 96 H2D AC6A2C65 29625 @7 D6CG:?8 E96 7:G6\52J D6?E6?46 :? a_aakDEC@?8m k^DEC@?8m9:D >@> D2:5] &A@? 2CC:G2= 2E #@4< xD=2?5 r@F?EJ y2:= @? yF?6 `_[ a_aa[ !6E6CD6? 3C@F89E 2 ?@E6 7C@> 9:D 5@4E@C E92E =:DE65 9:D >65:42E:@?D 7@C 5:236E6D[ H9:49 :?4=F565 wF>2=@8 2?5 {2?EFD 2?5 56E2:=D @7 H96? E96J D9@F=5 36 25>:?:DE6C65]k^Am
kAmw@H6G6C[ H96? >62=D H6C6 A2DD65 2C@F?5 2E E96 ;2:= 2?5 !6E6CD6? 2D<65 7@C 9:D 3=@@5 DF82C E@ 36 E2<6?[ 96 H2D 56?:65[ E96 =2HDF:E 2==686D] xE H2D C64@C565 @? yF?6 `a E92E !6E6CD6? 925 366? G@>:E:?8 2?5 E96 ?6IE 52J[ 2? :?>2E6 962C5 9:> 32?8:?8 @? E96 5@@C 3688:?8 E@ 36 E2<6? E@ E96 9@DA:E2=] %96 :?>2E6 2=D@ D2:5 E96J 962C5 !6E6CD6? 6IA6C:6?4:?8 92==F4:?2E:@?D] s6DA:E6 9:D 4@?5:E:@? 364@>:?8 :?4C62D:?8=J >@C6 D6C:@FD[ ;2:= DE277 5:5 ?@E AC@G:56 AC@24E:G6 42C6[ E96 4@>A=2:?E 2==686D]k^Am
kAmr@A:?8 H:E9 9:D =@DD :D 2 52:=J 32EE=6[ 244@C5:?8 E@ z6:E6=] $96 DFCC@F?5D 96CD6=7 H:E9 @?6 @7 96C 8C62E6DE ;@JDi 72>:=J]k^Am
Ava Petersen hugs her grandmother, Patricia Keitel, goodbye after visiting her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
KATELYN METZGER
kAm%96 H2==D @7 z6:E6=’D 9@>6 2C6 564<65 @FE :? A:4EFC6D @7 E96 A6@A=6 D96 =@G6D — 25F=ED =2F89:?8 @? 9@=:52JD[ 49:=5C6? @A6?:?8 3:CE952J 8:7ED[ 2?5 5@K6?D @7 J62C3@@<\DEJ=6 A@CEC2:ED DA2??:?8 >F=E:A=6 86?6C2E:@?D]k^Am
kAmw6C D@?’D D>:=6 42? 36 D66? 2=>@DE 2?JH96C6 z6:E6= EFC?D :? E96 9@FD6] ~?6 4@C?6C @7 96C <:E496? :D C6D6CG65 ;FDE 7@C tC:4] %96 4@F?E6CE@AD 2?5 7=@@C 2C6 25@C?65 H:E9 A9@E@D[ DE2EF6D @7 42C5:?2=D 2?5 2?86=D[ 2 =2?E6C? H:E9 7=:4<6C:?8 42?5=6D 2?5 >@C6 AC64:@FD :E6>D E92E 4C62E6 2 362FE:7F= >6>@C:2= @7 D@?]k^Am
kAm$96 6G6? <6AE 9:D 72G@C:E6 492:C @? 96C 7C@?E A@C49 H96C6 tC:4 FD65 E@ D:E 2?5 8C66E 96C 2D D96 H@F=5 4@>6 2?5 8@]k^Am
kAm“|J 323J :D 8@?6 2?5 E96C6 :D ?@E9:?8 H6 42? 5@ 23@FE :E[” z6:E6= D2:5]k^Am
Eric Petersen's memorial bench located on a trail at Eden Valley Refuge in Ballwin, Iowa. Family visits occasionally to change out the decorations to fit the seasons and to refill the bird feeders.
KATELYN METZGER
From left, Eric Petersen's eldest daughter, 18, and his ex-wife, Erin Petersen, talk about his life and death on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Though dealing with alcoholism during the later part of his life, his loved fishing with his kids, cooking and geode hunting.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel places an electric candle in the middle of a small memorial in her home to honor Eric Petersen, her son, on Friday, February 28, in Maquoketa. Petersen, a type one diabetic, died in June 2022 in the Rock Island County Jail from ketoacidosis after the staff failed to administer his glucometer and medications.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel shows off a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, in her home in Maquoketa on Friday, February 28.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel speaks about her son's death at her home in Maquoketa. Eric Petersen died from ketoacidosis in the Rock Island County Jail after the staff failed to administer his medication.
KATELYN METZGER
Patricia Keitel points out a photo of her son, Eric Petersen, holding a fish that he had caught when he was younger. Next to the photo is a picture of a fishing rod and pond that Petersen had drawn during a church service when he was young.
KATELYN METZGER
Contact Analisa Trofimuk at 219-933-3211. Contact Drew Zimmerman at 309-820-3276. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DZimmermanLee
In this Series
Updated
Jan 5, 2026
Updated
Jan 13, 2026
Updated
Jan 13, 2026
Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter
Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
