Officer Mark Nissen - Medal of Valor | Waterloo Police Department

Medal of Valor Recipient

On November 29, 2016, at about 4:36 AM, officers and deputies were advised by dispatch of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Highway 20, coming into Black Hawk County from Grundy County. Of his own volition, Officer Mark Nissen responded to the area of Highway 20 to locate the reported eastbound vehicle. Officer Nissen got onto Highway 20, traveling westbound. In doing so, he came upon and passed another westbound vehicle. Seconds later, Officer Nissen observed the reported vehicle coming toward him. The suspect vehicle was in the outside lane of the four-lane highway, as was Officer Nissen, who activated his emergency lights. The distance between the suspect vehicle and Officer Nissen’s marked squad car was closing rapidly with merely 100 yards between them.

Portrait of Officer Mark Nissen The suspect vehicle moved into the inside lane while the vehicle that Officer Nissen just passed was still coming up behind him. Officer Nissen activated his siren, moved into the inside lane, and stopped his squad car. Seconds later, the suspect vehicle smashed head-on into Officer Nissen’s squad car. Officer Nissen advised dispatch that he had been struck by the suspect vehicle and it was apparent by his transmission that he was injured and in pain. He exited his squad car and approached the suspect vehicle, directing the two occupants out of the vehicle and to safety behind it, protecting them from passing vehicles on the highway. The driver of the suspect vehicle was ultimately arrested for driving while intoxicated. The WPD was later contacted by a person in one of the westbound vehicles that had been shielded by Officer Nissen in his squad car. The person commented that he felt Officer Nissen was beyond being a hero, for if Officer Nissen had not done what he did in stopping the suspect vehicle, this person would have been one of the next vehicles to collide with the suspect vehicle. Officer Nissen’s actions are in the highest tradition of the Waterloo Police Department. His valor is a shining example for all.