October 25, 2021

Chelsea, IOWA— On October 28, 2021, at approximately 7:27 PM the Tama County Sheriff’s Office received calls of shots being fired near 1001 Station Street in Chelsea, Iowa.  Several law enforcement agencies from the surrounding area responded and upon arrival, observed Dewey Dale WILFONG III (28 years old) walking around with a handgun.  A Tama County Deputy fired one round striking WILFONG III in the upper torso.  WILFONG III was transported to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids where he was pronounced dead.  

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation was called in to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. 

The Tama County Deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The name of the deputy will not be released at this time.   

An autopsy will be conducted at The Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa. 

No additional information will be released at this time

ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.