Perry, IA – The tragic passing of Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger has left the community in mourning. Marburger, who bravely confronted a gunman during a high school shooting, succumbed to his injuries on January 14. His heroic actions during the shooting on January 4, which left six others injured and one student dead, were widely praised by officials and the community.
According to a GoFundMe page created by Marburger’s family, he fought tirelessly for 10 days before his passing. The post described his valiant efforts to protect the students and staff during the shooting, which ultimately cost him his life.
Following the shooting, Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the state until the day of Marburger’s funeral. The Iowa Department of Public Safety confirmed that Marburger was shot multiple times during the incident and remained in critical condition until his passing.
Marburger’s selfless actions were not overlooked, as school board president Linda Andorf and Superintendent Clark Wicks praised his bravery and sacrifice. Andorf emphasized that Marburger’s actions helped save the lives of many students, while Wicks highlighted the heroic efforts of other staff members, including Middle School Assistant Principal Adam Jessen, who assisted in getting students to safety.
The tragedy has also sparked a larger conversation about school shootings in the United States. Statistics from EducationWeek reveal that there have been 185 school shootings in America since 2018, resulting in 124 deaths and 325 injuries. The Department of Education’s report on school shooting incidents between 1999 and 2000 further highlighted the need for preventative measures and threat assessment techniques in schools to avoid such tragic events.
As the Perry community mourns the loss of a beloved leader and educator, the legacy of Dan Marburger’s heroism will continue to inspire and remind everyone of the importance of prioritizing safety in schools.