The Des Moines community and the Des Moines Police Department are deeply mourning the loss of Julie Ostrander, a devoted public servant, treasured colleague, and beloved family member whose passing leaves an immeasurable void. Julie dedicated more than thirteen years to the City of Des Moines as a Parking Enforcement Officer, and in that time, she set a standard of professionalism, compassion, and consistency that will long be remembered and rarely equaled.
Julie’s supervisor of over a decade, Sgt. Beardsley, shared heartfelt reflections that capture the essence of who she was—both as an employee and as a human being. He recalled that in 2012, a simple recommendation from Senior Police Officer Dearinger encouraged him to “take a second look” at Julie during the hiring process. Already known in the City maintenance garage for her reliability and resourceful management, Julie impressed further with an exceptional interview. This combination led to the hiring of someone who would become “one of the finest Parking Enforcement officers the City of Des Moines has ever had.”
Julie embodied dedication in its purest form. She arrived at work at least twenty minutes early every single day, no matter the weather or the demands of her long commute. Blizzards, thunderstorms, and bitter winter mornings never kept her away. Duty mattered to her, and she brought that commitment into every shift.
While issued a vehicle, Julie preferred the personal approach—driving to her assigned area, parking, and walking her beat so she could interact directly with the public. Her style was rooted in old-fashioned integrity: meeting people face-to-face, treating everyone with respect, and enforcing rules with fairness and unwavering common sense. She packed her lunch daily, never once taking a lunch break out, a testament to her discipline and consistency.
Across thirteen years of service, she never received a single complaint—an extraordinary accomplishment in a role that often faces criticism. Her ability to remain firm yet kind set her apart, and she earned the trust and admiration of colleagues and residents alike.
Above all, Julie loved her family—both her loved ones at home and her “family in blue” at the Des Moines Police Department. Her presence, loyalty, and warmth made her irreplaceable.
“RIP, Julie. We’ve got it from here. We love you.”
Julie will be forever missed, forever honored, and forever remembered.
