Officer Laverne Haubert is the only Ankeny Police Officer to have lost his life in the line of duty in Ankeny. Haubert joined the Ankeny Police Department in August of 1963 and died on January 8, 1964, while transferring an injured citizen and her spouse to a Des Moines hospital. He was 37 years old.
The Des Moines Register's January 8, 1964, account of the accident reads, "An errand of mercy turned into tragedy about 7:30 am. Wednesday when five persons were killed in a two-car collision just north of Des Moines on Highway 69. The accident occurred when Haubert, driving the Ankeny Police Force's new 1964-model patrol car, was driving Mrs. Love to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of a hand cut suffered in a home accident." Haubert lost control of his vehicle and collided with another vehicle. Officer Haubert was married and had moved to Ankeny in August of 1963 from Des Moines, where he had previously served with the Des Moines Police Department.
Haubert Park was built in memory of Officer Haubert and is located at 914 SW 3rd Street in Ankeny. Be sure to check it out!