Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the line of duty death of Pella Police Officer John E. Van Haaften.

Each year, the Pella Police Department and the family of Van Haaften aim to remember his sacrifice. He served for just over two years at the department before he was killed during an undercover drug bust in Knoxville on April 9th, 1980.

Sheryl Hanthorn was married to Van Haaften, and has established the John E. Van Haaften memorial scholarship, which is given to both a Pella and Pella Christian senior during the annual Senior awards nights.

Earlier this year John’s sister, Ruth, passed away. Family and friends made donations to the K9 Fund in Ruth’s memory. Recently, the department was also gifted a donation with matching funds from Pella Corporation as $5,000 was donated by Ruth’s niece in her honor to support K9 Officer Ellie.