Authorities have now released the name of an inmate who shot a Fayette County deputy, then turned the gun on himself at the West Union hospital.

The incident happened August 23rd at about 8:30am at Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union. Deputy Jeremy Stiefel had taken the inmate, now identified as 32 year old Steven Harreld, to the hospital the day before, to be treated for an unspecified medical issue.

Deputy Jeremy Stiefel. Photo from Iowa DCI, Fayette Co. Sheriff
Deputy Jeremy Stiefel. Photo from Iowa DCI, Fayette Co. Sheriff
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Deputy Stiefel released Harreld from his handcuffs, so that he could change into his jail clothes. When the deputy went to release the leg cuffs, Harreld attacked the deputy, and during the struggle, managed to take the officer's handgun.

Harreld held the deputy at gunpoint, ordering the officer to release him from both the hand and leg cuffs.
While searching for the key, Deputy Stiefel was able to get his electronic control device. At that point, Harreld shot the deputy in the abdomen. The officer deployed his electronic control device on Harreld, who then shot himself in the head with the handgun. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputy Stiefel, who was wearing a ballistic vest, was treated and released.

Harreld had been an inmate at the Fayette County jail since August 20th, held on several charges from an August 19th break-in at his ex-girlfriend's house in Fayette County. Following an autopsy, his death was officially ruled a suicide.

The incident was investigated by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.

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