To the People of Dubuque County and Beyond,

We are calling for immediate action following the recent hiring of Matthew D. Pothoff as a Deputy Sheriff by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office. Pothoff, now 24, was charged in 2017 by the Dubuque County Sheriffs Office with third-degree sexual abuse after drugging and sexually assaulting an underage girl. The victim reported that after drinking a beverage provided by Pothoff, she passed out and awoke to him assaulting her. A blood test revealed the presence of dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter cough suppressant, and DNA evidence confirmed the assault.

Despite these serious charges, which led to his arrest in 2017, Pothoff was hired by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office March 4th, 2025. His father, Harley Pothoff, is currently a Dubuque County Supervisor and former Road Patrol Sergeant. His brother, Luke Pothoff, also currently serves in the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office. These familial ties raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest in the hiring process.

The hiring of Pothoff is a betrayal of public trust. How can we, as a community, feel safe when an individual with such a disturbing history has been placed in a position of power and authority? The community deserves law enforcement leaders who exemplify integrity and a commitment to protecting the vulnerable.

We are demanding the immediate revocation of Pothoff’s employment, a full independent investigation into the hiring process, and a reevaluation of local law enforcement’s hiring policies. This situation highlights the need for transparency and accountability in all levels of law enforcement.

The time to act is now. We must hold our law enforcement accountable and ensure that our communities are led by individuals who are truly dedicated to justice and the safety of all. Wake up, Iowa—this is a dangerous precedent that threatens every community. Regardless of political beliefs or affiliations, we must unite for this cause. In a time of division, let us come together to demand real change.

*Update*

Matthew Pothoff has officially resigned from his position. This proves that public pressure works, but it also raises serious concerns about how he was hired in the first place.

A man who was arrested for sexual abuse should have never been given a badge, yet Dubuque County allowed it to happen. This is not an isolated mistake; this is a failure of oversight, accountability, and hiring policies within our law enforcement system.

Resignation is not justice. It does not fix the broken system that allowed this to happen. The people responsible for hiring him must answer for their decision, and policies must be put in place to ensure this never happens again.

We are demanding:

• Full transparency from Dubuque County on how this hiring decision was made.
• Stronger hiring policies to prevent individuals with a history of sexual violence from becoming law enforcement officers.
• Accountability for those who allowed this to happen whether through negligence or willful ignorance.

This petition is no longer just about one man. It’s about fixing a system that allowed him to slip through the cracks. We will not stop until real changes are made.