Johnston Police Officer to Receive Heroes of the Heartland Honor

The American Red Cross will hold its 11th annual Heroes of the Heartland breakfast on Friday, April 12, the Des Moines Register reports, and the honorees include a Johnston police detective.

Honorees whose stories will be shared at the program include Travis Hamilton. In 2009 Hamilton, a Johnston police detective, donated a kidney to his 18-month-old son, Trae. Hamilton is active in the Make A Wish Foundation and coordinates the annual Guns-N-Hoses hockey game, the Register said.

Eleven years ago, the American Red Cross set out to develop an annual event to honor Iowans who have performed a heroic act, according to the charity's website. Heroes of the Heartland not only recognizes those people, but also raises money used by the American Red Cross to help people with food, shelter and comfort during emergencies.

This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the Heroes of the Heartland breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. April 12 at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines.

Reservations are needed to attend the breakfast and today is the last day to do so; contact Kara Kelly at kara.kelly@redcross.org or 664-6326.