The shooting at the Jackson County Courthouse, 87 miles east of Vinton, has led to some renewed discussion in Benton County among leaders concerned about safety of employees, elected oficials and residents doing business in the building in Vinton. 
"Courthouse security is and should always be a concern," said Supervisor Terry Hertle Wednesday morning, the day after the Maquoketa incident made headlines throughout the nation.
One change recommended by the Grand Jury last year recently went into effect: A uniformed Benton County deputy (who also serves as bailiff during court sessions) is stationed at the courthouse during virtually all open business hours. 
While the supervisors originally rejected other of the Grand Jury's suggestions, including installing metal detectors and limiting entrance to one door, Hertle said the supervisors are willing to reconsider previous decisions if courthouse employees express their concerns.
"We discussed security at length when we worked on the fiscal year 2015 budget in January," said Hertle. "We decided we wanted a deputy in the courthouse full time for two reasons: Hopefully just seeing a deputy would be a deterrent and second, a deputy would also be a first line of defense.  I really do not want to have everyone go through a metal detector or officers searching everyone’s handbags.  But if the courthouse employees do not feel safe and ask us supervisors for this protection I would have to rethink my decision."
While such an incident seems impossible, Hertle said people in Maquoketa probably thought the same thing, too -- until yesterday.
"We think this can not happen in Benton County, but I am sure that in Jackson County, they had the same thoughts," said Hertle.