Dubuque Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Shooting Police Officer, Robbery

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Tracy McCullough

Story Created: Jan 14, 2011 at 12:55 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 14, 2011 at 9:50 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The man who admitted to shooting and wounding a Dubuque police lieutenant will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On Friday, a judge sentenced 72 year-old Eddie Chest to 50 years in prison.

That’s 25 years for robbing the Knickers Saloon in Dubuque in December 2009 and 25 more for shooting Lieutenant Scott Baxter during the getaway.

Despite a plea deal the judge handed out the longest sentence possible.

Before learning his sentence, 72-year old Eddie Chest stood before a judge and apologized to the entire city of Dubuque.

He then turned to Lt. Scott Baxter who was in the courtroom and said, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt”

Chest’s Attorney, Tom Goodman said, “Mr. Chest never intended to fire at Officer Baxter. He was turning around. He feels bad that Officer Baxter got hurt, he felt bad about that from the very beginning.”

Chest’s attorney said, because of his client’s age, lack of education and his cooperation with the court Chest should serve his two 25 year sentences at the same time.

But Judge Monica Ackley disagreed.

Ackley said, “this was in broad daylight. That’s as bold of criminal conduct as I have ever witnessed in my 18 years of practicing law.”

Ackley said Chest and Adams ordered everyone inside the saloon that day to the ground and pointed guns to their heads.

Ackley said to Chest, “You had a sawed off shot gun. Not just something simple. You disguised yourself, you went in there and put those people in a terrible mental state. ”

As he left the courtroom Goodman called Ackley’s decision “chilling” and says it could prevent future criminals from cooperating with the court.

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