Remembering Dan Marburger: Iowa Principal Who Risked His Life to Save Students in Shooting

The longstanding Iowa principal who courageously risked his life to protect students during a shooting incident earlier this month was honored on Saturday not only for his heroic actions on that fateful day, but also for the unwavering love and compassion he exhibited towards his family and students during his tenure at Perry High School.

A multitude of people paid their respects at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, situated just over 30 miles away from Perry High School, where Dan Marburger had devoted his professional life since 1995, ultimately serving as principal from 1997. Sadly, Marburger succumbed to his injuries on January 14, ten days after the shooting incident occurred.

Dan Marburger, aged 56, sustained critical injuries during the attack on January 4, which unfolded in the cafeteria of the combined middle and high school. Students were in the midst of gathering for breakfast before commencing their classes when the violence erupted. Tragically, the shooting claimed the life of an 11-year-old sixth-grade student, while six others sustained injuries. The 17-year-old perpetrator ultimately took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators have lauded Marburger for his selfless bravery, stating that he fearlessly positioned himself in harm’s way to defend his students. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks hailed Marburger as a “hero” for his courageous intervention, which allowed students to escape the assailant.

During the funeral service, Marburger’s family emphasized that what they will cherish most about him is the love he bestowed upon them. Claire Marburger, his daughter, expressed that her father’s affection for his five children was unwavering, leaving no doubt in their minds about his care and concern. She spoke of his constant presence at their events and his compassionate nature.

Even when his children went off to college and he couldn’t physically be with them every day, Marburger would often send them a few dollars through Venmo, ensuring they had the means to enjoy meals outside of the cafeteria or top up their gas tanks. He went to great lengths to support his children, regularly making a 3.5-hour drive on school nights to watch Claire play basketball in college.

With a choked voice, Claire Marburger shared her heartfelt wish during the funeral, stating, “If I had one wish from a genie, it wouldn’t be a new car or a house or a specific sum of money. It wouldn’t even be to have dad back, because I understand the magnitude of that wish. My wish would simply be for one of dad’s hugs – just a few seconds to hold him, for him to kiss me on the top of my head, and to hear him tell me he was proud of me.”

Elizabeth Marburger, Dan’s wife, reflected on the unconditional love she experienced from him over their 43 years together, a love that still feels insufficient even after all that time.

Elizabeth Marburger shared, “Dan exemplified love and grace each day. My wish for all of you is to have someone – a parent, a partner, a friend, or a sibling – who loves you unconditionally, just as Dan loved me. And my challenge to all of you is to seek the goodness in the world. We have witnessed the dark side in recent weeks, but goodness prevails, and we must strive to find it every day.”

The Perry community’s unity and support were evident in the aftermath of the shooting. They rallied together to assist everyone affected by the tragedy, launching various fundraising efforts. Remarkably, the community even arranged meals for the family of the shooter as they mourned the loss of their son, a tragic consequence of his violent actions that his parents claim they never anticipated.

According to authorities, the suspect, identified as Dylan Butler, carried a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun when he emerged from a bathroom at the school. Earlier that morning, he had posted an ominous picture on TikTok. In addition to these weapons, he possessed an improvised explosive device that had to be safely disarmed.

The small town of Perry, with its population of approximately 8,000, bid farewell to Ahmir Jolliff a few days prior to Marburger’s passing. Ahmir, another victim of the shooting, was mourned by the community. However, there is solace in knowing that the other wounded individuals have now recuperated and are in the comfort of their own homes.

Nevertheless, Perry is far from its normal routine as students remain out of school. The school district has announced a phased approach to reopening, with elementary school students scheduled to return on Wednesday and middle school students on Thursday. High school students will resume classes during the following week.

The district plans to implement stricter access controls and have uniformed police officers present upon reopening, but they will not be implementing more drastic measures such as installing metal detectors or mandating clear plastic bags for students. Many parents, especially those with children who were injured in the shooting, remain apprehensive about sending their children back to school.

The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the motive behind Butler’s decision to bring firearms to the school and carry out the violent act. Investigators are meticulously reviewing his social media posts, examining evidence from the shooting, and analyzing hours of witness testimonies.

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