A scary situation occurred in Fairfield yesterday when the Fairfield Community School District went into lockdown. This was after the Fairfield Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was alerted of a male displaying a handgun in close proximity to the schools.
It is important to note that this incident had no relation to the tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa, on January 4th, 2024. No students or school employees were involved in the incident in Fairfield.
Around 12:03pm, the dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a male in the 100 Block of E. Broadway with a handgun. Deputies and Officers responded to this situation and took the suspect into custody. A search revealed a loaded firearm and a significant quantity of controlled substances.
Bowe James Cook, age 31 of Winfield, was subsequently charged with the following: Felon in Possession of Firearm, a Class D Felony, Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, a Class C, Drug Tax Stamp Violation, Class D, Interference with Official Acts, a Simple Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Simple Misdemeanor.
Please contact the Fairfield Police Department at (641) 472-4146, or call 911 in an emergency, if you have any information. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
FPD would like to thank the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety for their assistance in this investigation. This is an active investigation and additional charges may be filed.
Criminal charges are merely an accusation, and all persons are assumed innocent until found guilty in court.