Detective Chris Wuebker Receives Victim Service Award from U.S. DOJ for "Tireless Work" in Colvin Case

Your contribution today guarantees Decorah News is asking the questions tomorrow. Act now. DECORAH — Detective Chris Wuebker of the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office has received the 2026 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award, a federal honor recognizing his work supporting victims and their families during criminal investigations, including the murder investigation of teenager Jade Colvin. The award was presented Wednesday morning at the Winneshiek County Courthouse during a ceremony coinciding with Iowa's observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which runs April 19-25. The award is the highest federal honor in Iowa for victim services by a law enforcement officer. Wuebker was recognized for his role as lead investigator in the investigation and prosecution surrounding the death of Jade Colvin, a teenage girl who disappeared after traveling to Winneshiek County in 2017. Prosecutors later secured the conviction of James Bachmurski Sr. in connection with her murder. During the ceremony, Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten said Wuebker's work extended beyond the Colvin case and reflected a longstanding commitment to supporting victims and their families through difficult criminal proceedings. Van Der Maaten said Wuebker consistently demonstrates compassion in cases large and small, from homicide investigations to theft cases involving vulnerable victims. The award nomination cited Wuebker's "perseverant," "diligent" and "compassionate" work during the Colvin investigation. According to the sheriff's office, investigators operated throughout the case under two guiding principles: "Justice for Jade" and "No Stone Left Unturned." U.S. Attorney Leif Olson of the Northern District of Iowa said the Colvin investigation stood out because authorities continued pursuing answers years after the teenager disappeared. Olson said the U.S. Marshals Service had reviewed long-term missing persons cases involving children and eventually determined Colvin had last been seen in Winneshiek County. The case was then turned over to local investigators, with Wuebker taking the lead. Colvin, who was 14 when she disappeared, had traveled to Iowa expecting to meet her mother, Olson said during the ceremony. He added that Colvin's family was scattered across the country, making communication and support more challenging during the investigation and prosecution. According to Olson, Wuebker identified a key primary contact, Colvin's aunt in Stillwater, Oklahoma. "Chris kept in touch with all of them," Olson said. "He made sure that she knew every step of the way what was happening with the case." Olson emphasized that Wuebker did everything in his power to bring justice to Colvin, "He did all of this for a young woman who was not from Decorah, did not live in Winneshiek County, wasn't even an Iowan," Olson said. "But thanks to Chris' efforts, a 14-year-old girl who was supposed to meet her mom and go home, and never got the chance, received justice." Reading from the award citation, Olson praised Wuebker's persistence and compassion throughout the investigation. "You faithfully followed the evidence but continuously dug deeper into tireless police work, all the while walking alongside the victim's family, providing answers, support and compassion," Olson said while presenting the award. In remarks after accepting the award, Wuebker thanked his family, coworkers and fellow law enforcement officers, while speaking about the impact victim-centered investigations have on families and investigators alike. "To my family, your patience, your sacrifice and your overwhelming love has made everything I've been able to accomplish possible," Wuebker said. He also credited fellow officers and mentors for teaching him that law enforcement is "about people, about community and about something much bigger than any one of us." Wuebker described the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office as "a special place" and praised partnerships among local, state and federal agencies involved in investigations. "This award belongs to you just as much as it belongs to me," he told coworkers and prosecutors gathered at the ceremony. "Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I am truly humbled to be standing here today. Reading the letters my colleagues included in the submission for this award blew me away and helped me see the gravity of what we do to try to be our best for victims and their loved ones. To my family, Your patience, your sacrifice, and your overwhelming love have made everything I've been able to accomplish possible. I could not do this without you, and I do not take a single day of your support for granted. To my mentors in law enforcement — those who took the time to show me what it truly means to serve — thank you. You didn't just teach me tactics and procedure; you showed me character. You showed me that this work is about people, about community, and about something much bigger than any one of us. I often bring up the quote "A rising tide raises all ships." This type of mentality is not taken on overnight but over years of working together with others who know unity makes us all better. The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office is a special place, and its relationships with other organizations throughout the county, state, and nation are something many envy. I have seen firsthand the compassion that every deputy in the Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office has and it is inspiring. To my co-workers and the Winneshiek County Attorney's Office, this award belongs to all of you just as much as it belongs to me. I am honored, I am grateful, and I am committed to continuing in service alongside you all. To the US Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices of the Northern and Southern Districts of lowa, thank you for such an honor for our County and myself. I will leave you all with one last thing. The ocean doesn't ask which ship deserves to rise. lt just rises - and lifts everything with it. Every day you choose excellence, every day you choose compassion, every day you choose to show up fully - you are the tide. Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid. So go — be great. And bring those around you up with you." Wuebker closed his remarks by encouraging others in law enforcement to continue showing compassion and pursuing excellence in their work with victims and families. "Every day you choose excellence. Every day you choose compassion. Every day you choose to follow through fully," he said. Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx said the Colvin investigation became a defining case in Wuebker's career because of the years-long commitment involved. "You lived it every minute of every day for three years," Marx said. Marx said Wuebker's recognition reflects a broader pattern throughout his law enforcement career, noting he previously received awards related to victim services and narcotics enforcement. "If anybody had any doubt this was the right guy for the job, look back on his entire career," Marx said. In a statement released after the ceremony, the sheriff's office said Wuebker "exemplified" the department's victim-centered approach and "demonstrated extraordinary patience, meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth." The release added that Wuebker "never lost sight of the person at the center of the investigation: Jade Colvin." Be the first to know! 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