On March 31, 2011, Waterloo Police arrested Austin Lee Reding, age 20, of Dysart, Iowa for Impersonating a Public Official after he claimed to be the Waterloo Firefighter and Paramedic who pulled a man from the Cedar River after a police chase.

On March 30, 2011, Reding posted several comments on radio station, KCRR, public access Facebook page stating that he was a Waterloo Firefighter and Paramedic. Reding also posted that he was the paramedic who pulled the man from the Cedar River following a police chase that day. Reding also posted that he had been a Waterloo Firefighter for two years.

Waterloo Police contacted the Fire Department and confirmed that Reding was not a firefighter. When interviewed by Waterloo Police, Reding admitted to posting the comments. Reding is currently being held in the Black Hawk County Jail.

Captain Tim Pillack
Waterloo Police Department
319-291-4336