Washington Police Chief Jim Lester has named Lieutenant Benjamin Altenhofen as the Department’s Officer of the Year.

Altenhofen was involved in providing emergency services in May while returning from training in Des Moines. At the Casey’s store in Sigourney, he identified a woman who was choking and in need of assistance. He took action, performing the Heimlich maneuver and helping the woman. Altenhofen is also in charge of the Field Training Program for new department officers. Washington has added five new members to the force in the last year. Aside from duties for the department, he also serves the community as a committee chair for the local Cub Scout organization. Altenhofen spoke with KCII News about serving the Washington community and the award, “It’s just rewarding because we have such a great community, so many great business and leaders in the community. They make my job a lot easier, knowing them. Seeing that you made a difference in someone’s life and you actually helped them out and they are appreciative of that is the most rewarding. We just have a great group of officers! (The award) was unexpected. I really appreciate it. When I was told that I was getting the award and Chief Lester mentioned that, ‘I don’t know if you realize but we had all of these new officers and you did the field training for them’. I guess the year kind of flew by! That was a lot of time with people in my car, teaching, and the paperwork associated with that and teaching, making sure that they were ready to be out on their own. It was a busy year, and I appreciate the recognition!”

This is the second time that Altenhofen has received the award. 

Easton Botkins and Noah Kleese were named 2024 Rookie Officers of the Year. Lester made the announcements at April’s first Washington city council meeting.