Lawrence E. Leitzke
May 12, 2019
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Service Details
Lawrence Elmer Leitzke, age 73, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2019 at his home in Urbandale.
Larry was born October 26, 1944 in Crystal, MN. He grew up in Minnesota, graduating from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. After graduation, he enlisted in the Unites States Army. After his honorable discharge, he served as a secret service agent for two years under the Nixon administration in Washington. Larry became a Des Moines Police Officer in 1972, and proudly served with the Des Moines Police Department for 25 years until his retirement in 1997. In his free time, Larry enjoyed playing cribbage, duck hunting, and fishing.
He is survived by his daughter Sally Hisler, grandchildren Sophie and Jude, brother Steve Lietzke, nieces and nephew Sherry, Donna, Jeff and Brenda, brother-in-law Ed Heineke and other extended family.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lillian (Thompsen) Leitzke and his sister Darlene Heineke.
Cremation will occur and there will be no public services held.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made directly to the family in Larry’s memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Bill McCarthy
05/17/2019
Larry was always a classy guy and a very good police officer who represented the DMPD in a very positive way. My deepest sympathies .
Ellen Carol Anderson
05/16/2019
To Sally, Steve and the family,
Larry was a neighbor who lived in Crystal where we all grew up. Larry was a great dad, loving grandfather, a devoted son, a big brother, and faithful friend. May God's blessings surround you all now. And, May Larry rest in peace, .... a neighbor, Elly C. Anderson (Whitworth)
Detective Greg Morse
05/14/2019
Without the persistence of Larry, I would have never become a Police Officer. During my medical examine in the hiring process, I we told I was color blind that would have eliminated me from the process.
Larry was at the Academy and was involved in the hiring process. I called Larry and told him that I was far from being color blind. Larry took it upon himself to have me tested by an actual eye doctor. Passed the test with 100%. To this day, I think of him and how he changed the direction of my career. Coming up on 30 years with DMPD thanks to this great person.
Thank You!
Greg Morse
Dave Brown
05/14/2019
Larry was one of the first officers I got to know really well after joining the department in 1974. Larry became a role model to a lot of young officers. Once he was promoted to Sergeant he continued to set the bar high by being an example of what a good cop should be.
My sympathy is extended to his family. You should be very proud of how well he performed his duties and a Des Moines Police Officer.
Dave Brown (Retired DMPD)