-Messenger file photo
Fort Dodge Police Officer Dennis Mernka, left, fingerprints Taevon Feeley, then 1, of Fort Dodge, during a Kids Safety Day event at the Walgreens Store on Fifth Avenue South as Webster County Sheriff’s reservist Kenny Powell, right, watches. The event featured free fingerprinting and photo kits, a chance for children to create a Safe Neighborhood drawing and even an opportunity to put out a simulated fire, courtesy of the Iowa Central Community College Fire Science program. Mernka retired this year with the rank of lieutenant.