Theodore A. Behne 1943-1996

BEHNE, THYE, CULVER, SMITH

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 3/20/2015 at 22:01:32

Former Burlington police Chief Theodore A. Behne dies
The Hawk Eye, Burlington BURLINGTON, Iowa
Former Burlington police Chief Theodore "Ted" Behne died Sunday, March 10, 1996

Theodore A. Behne was born to Theodore J. and Louise (Thye) Behne on May 20, 1943. He married Rebecca Culver on February 5, 1965. They later divorced and he married Monica Smith on March 21, 1992.

Mr. Behne began his career with the Burlington Police Department as a radio dispatcher in 1965 and worked his way through the ranks until he was appointed police chief in February 1976. Behne, 52, was the youngest man to become chief and had the longest tenure before he left the department in 1989. Mr. Behne followed in his father's footsteps. Ted and T.J. Behne are the only father-son combination to serve on the department at the same time. T.J. Behne, who died in October 1993, also was a former police chief, having served in 1952.
City Councilman Chuck Griffin remembered Behne as a political ally and a close personal friend. "I think of him as a chief who was ahead of his time," Griffin said. "He talked about the DARE program when there wasn't a DARE program. He placed significance on higher education and instituted a policy that any officer certified for promotion must have least a two-year degree. Griffin said Behne's foresight has led to more and more officers getting their degrees. "Today the city is benefiting from the heritage he left behind," Griffin said. Griffin visited Behne regularly during the past several weeks and was with him when he died. "I talked to him a lot and he would acknowledge my being there," he said. "It's worth it. He was a real special person and I'll remain close to his family for many years.
Behne's cousin is Des Moines County Sheriff Joel Behne. "I have to grin and cry at the same time because my first attempt at getting on the police department was thwarted because he was my first cousin and they had a nepotism policy back then," He was seven years older than me, and his death really brings out the reality of my own mortality. The age of 52 is entirely too young to be gone.
Police Capt. Joe Stewart remembered the encouragement he received from Behne. "Ted was always encouraging me to get into criminal investigations and to take the promotions ... the things I probably wouldn't have done without his encouragement," Stewart said.
T.K. Ford, Behne's attorney, reacted to Behne's death with relief. "I guess I'm relieved this long fight with cancer is over," he said. "I had the pleasure to work with Ted and his father. The thing I remember most is they were strong family men and Burlington was lucky to have them, both as citizens and police officers. I am proud to say he was my friend.
During his years on the force, Behne organized the annual Law Enforcement Racquetball Tournament, coached the department's basketball team and attended the FBI Training Academy.
Mr. Behne is survived by his wife Monica, two daughters, Kristine Lewis, Laura Lewis, one son, Robert all from Columbia Missouri, his mother, Louise P. Behne, a sister, Bonnie (Gerald Sr.) J Wagenbach from Burlington and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his Father, Theodore J. Behne.
The family will receive friends and family Tuesday evening at Lunnings Funeral Chapel. His funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m Wednesday the 13th of March at the Burlington Apostolic Church on old U.S. 61.

Funeral –
Former Burlington police Chief Ted Behne was remembered Thursday as a man who wanted to make a difference.
About 300 people, including a delegation of local police, sheriff deputies and state troopers, paid tribute to Behne, who died Sunday at age 52 following a long fight with cancer.
The Burlington Apostolic Christian Church was filled to capacity as the ministers of the Oakville Apostolic Church led the crowd in prayer and scripture.
Ed Lanz, a minister from the church, said Behne was a man who had his peace with God.
"When we remember Ted we see him as someone who cared and wanted to make a difference," Lanz said. "He had his ambitions in life and he was able to achieve some of his dreams, but sometimes things block our way and that was likely the way it was with Ted. You can take comfort in knowing in his final months and years Ted achieved those things that are everlasting. Lanz used the red roses that covered Ted's bronze casket to assure his family that Ted had reached a better place.
"Those roses on the casket are beautiful, they're God's creation, but they will fade away and die," he said. "You can be sure your loved one has gone to a place where the roses never fade. Lanz said he got to know Ted during the final months of his illness.
"I remember one of the last conversations I had with Ted," he said. "I asked him if he had found peace with God, and he replied `yes.' I asked him if he was ready to die, and he said `yes. 'He told Behne's family it was a time when he knew Ted had found peace through the pain of the illness and a moment he would long remember.
Following the church service, a procession skirted through Burlington, driving past the police department on its way to Aspen Grove Cemetery.
The Burlington Police Department's honor guard escorted the casket as it was carried by the pallbearers to the grave.
Following a brief ceremony, the Apostolic Church choir sang a final hymn and the honor guard handed a folded U.S. flag to Mr. Behne's widow, Monica.
Other members of the family were handed red carnations from the funeral spray as they said their goodbyes.
Mr.Behne was hired by the Burlington police department in 1965 and worked his way through the ranks until he was appointed chief in 1976 at the age of 32. He served as chief until he left the department in 1989.