Off-duty deputy dies in Madison Co.

An Adams County Deputy has died as a result of an off-duty accident in Madison County.

While working a part-time job Thursday, Deputy Nicholas Koeppe (2-7), 34, of Corning, attempted to drive an excavator over a bridge on private property on Peru Road. The bridge collapsed and the excavator rolled into a body of water, trapping him below the surface.

An individual found Koeppe in the overturned excavator and called 911 at approximately 8:06 a.m. Koeppe had been trapped inside the submerged cab. Before first responders arrived at the scene, the caller was able to free Koeppe from the cab and begin CPR. Koeppe was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Koeppe, originally from Hadar, Nebraska, began with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office March 6, 2023, and completed the 310th Basic Academy Class at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Aug. 18. While living in Nebraska, he served as a volunteer firefighter. He leaves behind three children.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office will have a memorial display of the deputy’s patrol unit parked outside of the sheriff’s office in Corning.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Madison County Ambulance and Winterset Fire Department.