Roger Hockel

Suicide

Police got a report that Roger Hockel was intoxicated, suicidal and walking on Lake Colchester. Officers said they found footprints on the ice, along with a whiskey bottle, a hole, and more footprints leading toward shore. A caller then reported Hockel had returned to a relative's home in Norwalk and then drove off. Norwalk officers saw Hockel on IA-28 and followed in what police described as "a slow-speed pursuit" that never topped 45 mph. Windsor Heights police put out stop sticks that punctured a tire, but Hockel continued into Des Moines where DMPD officers joined the pursuit. According to police, Hockel drove to the top of an 8-story parking ramp, got out of his car and jumped to his death.