Long Overdue Recognition For Iowa Officer

It is reported in today's Los Angeles Times that Officer Walter Kesterson of the Los Angeles Police Department is up for that department's highest award, the Medal of Valor.

Kesterson and his partner responded to a radio report of an armed holdup at a movie theater near 43d and Avalon Boulevard. As he identified himself, one suspect drew a pistol and shot Kesterson in the chest. Kesterson returned fire and killed the two robbers before he died of his wounds. It was later determined that the two robbers had murdered Vernon, California patrolmanRichard Pennington.

All these events took place on February 4, 1946.

Officer Kesterson was born in Belvidere, Iowa.