NORWALK DRUG-ED OFFICER CHARGED

Norwalk, Ia. - Thomas Nolan, a Norwalk police sergeant and
drug-education officer, was charged with possession of marijuana and
drug paraphernalia after the Marion-Warren County drug task force
searched his home Sunday, Warren County sheriff's officials reported.

Nolan, 44, of 9129 Oakwood Drive, was released from the Warren County
Jail after posting bond of $2,925. He could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Jerry Starkweather said Nolan had been suspended from his job
without pay. Starkweather would not comment on whether Nolan would
return to the force.

City Attorney Jim Dougherty said some Norwalk police officers brought
suspicions about activities involving drugs and the Norwalk police to
the attention of city officials two weeks ago. The city asked Warren
County officials to investigate the matter.

Sgt. Dave Murillo of the Des Moines Police Department, who lives in
Norwalk, said he learned from one Norwalk officer that narcotics
evidence had been disappearing from the Norwalk department.

Warren County sheriff's officials would give no other details about
the case, referring all questions to Dougherty.

Nolan, a member of the Norwalk Police Department for 12 years, served
as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer at Lakewood
Elementary School for more than five years, according to Tom Fish,
school district superintendent. Nolan conducted classes on the risks
of drug abuse.

Fish said he was surprised to hear of the allegations against Nolan
and suspected that Nolan's students would find it hard to see the
situation unfold. "I guess they can also see that there are
consequences," Fish said.

Warren County Deputy Randy Spurr will be Lakewood's DARE officer for
the remaining weeks of the program.