Officer fired

Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy said the termination of a patrol officer was handled by outside agencies because “the department wanted to remain transparent, sustain integrity, and continue to garner the public’s trust.”

The chief announced in a press release last Wednesday the firing of Ethen Schoonover, who had been employed with the department for approximately eight months.

According to a press release, Schoonover was released because he was charged with domestic abuse/assault, relating to an alleged incident on Sept. 6. 

“Upon receiving the documentation from the Shenandoah Police Department of the incident, the Red Oak Police Department contacted the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation for assistance with the investigation into the alleged incident,” the release said. “A DCI agent was assigned to investigate the alleged incident.

“The decision to have the Iowa DCI conduct an impartial investigation was essential, especially since the allged crime included the involvement of a Red Oak police officer,” the release said.

The Shenandoah Police Department notified the Red Oak Police Department about the alleged incident. Schoonover was placed on administrative leave throughout the investigation, according to Chief Rhamy. 

The results of the DCI’s investigation were turned over to Page County Attorney Carl Sonksen for his review and prosecution, per the request of Montgomery County Attorney Bruce Swanson.

“On Oct. 4, after a complete review of the investigating agent’s reports and evidence collected, criminal charges of domestic abuse/assault have been filed with the Montgomery County Clerk of Court against Ethen Schoonover,” the release said.

Schoonover went before a magistrate, was processed at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, and later released on a $300 cash bond.