Don Schreffler, Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, started the Iron Cop Triathlon in 1998. He wanted to accomplish three things:
1) Organize an athletic event for cops, similar to the Iron Man Triathlon. The swimming did not fit with law enforcement, but the idea of the handgun match fit as the third event.
2) Organize a public event that shows officers in a better light, out of uniform, as people who strain and sweat to cross the finish line.
3) Organize a charity event that gives to a worthy, important cause.
The first Iron Cop Triathlon was held in 2000 in Council Bluffs, IA and 7 officers participated. The beneficiary of the first triathlon was the Wabash Trace Association. A $50 donation was made to the Association. The competitors were divided into Law Enforcement Officers and Civilian employees. Trooper Darren Fratzke won the event. The triathlon consisted of 3 stages: 250 point Match Shoot, 20 mile bike, and 5 mile run.
The Iron Cop II Triathlon was held in 2002 and 15 officers participated. Trooper Matt Schwenn won the event and scored the Top Gun Award. A $200 donation benefited the cops and firefighters in New York City. Don contacted Steve Lee, a career law enforcement officer, who had spent months at Ground Zero and was present when the steel girder cross was discovered. Steve Lee now runs Peace Officers Ministries. They had developed a modern-day English "Peace Officer's Bible" prior to 9-11 and had shipped their stock of bibles to New York City. The Peace Officer's Bible was in high demand at all of the precincts and firehouses. The donation assisted with the third printing so that the demand could be met. Don received one from the last case in a Port Authority office.
In 2004, Troopers Matt Schwenn and Mike Austin brought the Iron Cop 3 Triathlon to Cedar Rapids, IA. The Children's Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics received a $750 donation from the 2004 event. The run stage was adjusted to a 5 km course and the competitors were divided into three classes: Over-All, Clydesdale, and Presidential. Thaddeus Paisar of the Cedar Rapids Police Department won the Over-All class with a shooting score of 244 of 250 points and a time of 1:21:01. Jared Hicks of the CRPD took second place with a shoot of 230 points and a time of 1:18:53. Scott Pack from Sgt. Bluff took third place in the Over-All class. Brian Johnson and Jerry Thomas from Moline, IL won the Clydesdale and Presidential classes. Jason Loftsgard won the Top Gun award by shooting a score of 247 points. And last but not least the Pound the Pavement concrete shoe went to Steve Zdrazil for anchoring the race.
The Iron Cop 4 Triathlon was held on September 24, 2005 in Cedar Rapids, IA. The Iron Cop Triathlon made a $3000 donation to the Children's Miracle Network with the help of over 50 sponsors, volunteers and participants. It was a great day to test the true grit of all the cops in the triathlon. The rain held off long enough for us to get the shoot in without getting too wet. William Henninger from the Newton Police Department won the Top Gun award by shooting a perfect 250 out of 250. There were several 247, 248, and 249's with the average score being 242.75. I wish the average was that good in my District.
We held off on the bike for about 45 minutes for the ran to slow down but no luck. We were going to get wet anyway. So much for not having to swim in the Iron Cop. At 1000 hours we were off. Jared Hicks, Thaddeus Paisar, Jason Amoriell, and Tim Wittman took off like a shot. Jared had something to prove this year.
Jared Hicks of the Cedar Rapids Police Department won first place by shooting a 249 and setting a 15mile/5km pace of 1:02:33. Jason Amoriell of the FBI came in 4th Over-All and won the Presidential class with a shoot of 248 and a pace of 1:10:34. Mike Austin of the Iowa State Patrol came in 7th and won the Clydesdale class with a shoot of 249 and a pace of 1:15:45. Martha Kelly of Rochester, MN came in 19th and won the Over-All Female class with a shoot of 232 and a pace of 1:29:29.