G-R’s Brinkman receives Evelyn Covington Scholarship

Gladbrook-Reinbeck senior Nattalee Brinkman, left, receives the 2025-2026 Evelyn Covington Scholarship from Grundy County Sheriff Kirk Dolleslager. PHOTO COURTESY OF GRUNDY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

GRUNDY CENTER – Gladbrook-Reinbeck senior Nattalee Brinkman was recently named as one of 15 recipients of the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association (ISSDA) 2025-2026 Evelyn Covington Scholarship. Nattalee is the daughter of Adam and Megan Heise; Adam has been a Grundy County Deputy for 22 years.

The ISSDA Evelyn Covington Scholarship is named after Sergeant Evelyn Covington of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. She was employed with the Sheriff’s Office for 23 years. At the time of her retirement, Evelyn was a sergeant in the Civil Division. She served on the ISSDA board for many years and, in 1989, was the first woman elected as president.

Per the ISSDA, in the early morning hours of January 17, 1991, Evelyn was on duty and traveling to an ISSDA board meeting in Des Moines. Her vehicle struck a patch of ice and spun out into the center median. While waiting for a tow truck, a semi-tractor trailer lost control in the same location and drove into the median, striking Sgt. Covington’s vehicle. The ensuing collision resulted in Evelyn sustaining serious and debilitating injuries and her passenger being fatally injured. Evelyn’s extensive injuries necessitated her early retirement in August of 1991. She continues to reside in Cedar Rapids.

In acknowledgement of Sgt. Covington’s dedicated and loyal service to the ISSDA, the Board of Directors named their scholarship program in her honor. The Evelyn Covington Scholarship Award provides $1,000 scholarships annually to 15 senior high school children of current ISSDA members.

2025-2026 Evelyn Covington Scholarship Winners

Nattalee Brinkman – Grundy County

Kasey Davis – Washington County

Carson Harriman – Ida County

Jocelyn Hendricks – Johnson County

Zachary Hogrefe – Wright County

Gavin Holst – Clayton County

Brayden Komarek – Monona County

Noah McCleary – Muscatine County

Lydia Nachazel – Hardin County

Breya Nickle – Ringgold County

Aiden Pecks – Plymouth County