News : C.R. murder victim was Vinton native and school therapy dog handler

Vinton native Sherry (Higgins) Haferbecker with therapy dog Primus; she died in CR last week.

While Sherry (Higgins) Haferbecker's full-time job at Prairie Hill Elementary School was as head custodian, she was also well-known for how much she loved being part of the therapy dog program for the past few years. She was the handler for the black lab named Primos, one of several dogs that help students in a variety of ways.

Area residents are mourning the death of Haferbecker, 44, a Vinton native and a 1989 graduate of Washington High School, in Cedar Rapids last week.

"School officials told me that she was thought of very highly by students and staff," says Greg Buelow, the communications officer of the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

A report from Prairie Hill principal Scott Schipper indicated that Sherry, in addition to being a volunteer with the program, was also covering the expenses for the dog.

'One of those special people'

"We grew up together," says Vinton graduate and current VS School Board Member Megan Rickels. "She was in my graduating class. She was very sweet. Always smiling."

A band member throughout middle school and high school, Sherry was "one of those special people who I still remember after all these years," says retired V-S Band Director Judy Trygstad.

"Music was a big part of Sherry's life from elementary on into high school," said Marcie McNeal, who shared a locker with Sherry at Washington High School.

"Sherry started in band in the fifth grade, playing trumpet," McNeal recalled. "She also enjoyed singing and was in chorus in junior high and high school. This is just so hard to believe, this happened to her. She was always friendly to everyone."

Murder-suicide victim

A press release from the CRPD indicates that officers performed a welfare check at 731 Memorial Drive SE at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, morning after Sherry Haferbecker did not arrive at her place of employment.

Authorities had also learned that Haferbecker's Husband, Mitchell, also a school custodian, had been placed on administrative leave from College Community Schools. Based on this new information and concern for the safety of both individuals, officers went to their residence and upon entering the home, discovered the couple dead.

The preliminary investigation has determined that Mitchell Wade Haferbecker, age 45, used a handgun to shoot Sherry Haferbecker, age 44, inside the residence. Mitchell Haferbecker then used the handgun to kill himself.

Services will take place March 7, at Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton. See her obituary HERE.