Bremer County will foot the bill for the personal attorney of a deputy involved in a fatal shooting in January. Bremer County Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Beenblossom was not charged or indicted in the shooting death of Jihad Merrick, who had attempted to run over officers with his car during a Jan. 17 traffic stop near Plainfield, according to the county attorney’s office. But as Beenblossom was being questioned in the investigation, he retained his own personal lawyer, who charged him $400. Bremer County Sheriff Dan Pickett presented the bill to the Bremer County Board of Supervisors this week, asking for reimbursement, noting that neither Beenblossom nor any of his deputies were union represented. The supervisors unanimously approved paying the bill, Pickett said. He said he also met with a private citizen who came in with $400 cash, noting the community has supported Beenblossom’s actions.
