ISSDA Evelyn Covington Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association
Overview
For 2026, the Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association (ISSDA) will award fifteen $1,000 scholarships (paid as $500 each semester during the recipient’s first year). These awards are designated for high school seniors graduating in spring 2026 who are children of active (2026) ISSDA members. Scholarship checks will be sent to the recipient’s college in early September 2026 and again in February 2027.
Who may apply
To qualify, an applicant must be one of the following relative relationships to a current ISSDA member:
- a natural or adopted child; or
- a grandchild; or
- a stepchild, provided the child’s biological parent has primary custody, is married to the ISSDA member, and the child has lived primarily in the member’s household for the past four years.
About the Evelyn Covington Scholarship
This scholarship honors Sergeant Evelyn Covington of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, who served the department for 23 years and retired as a sergeant in the Civil Division. Sgt. Covington was widely respected for her expertise in civil procedure and for teaching many related classes.
Career highlights
- Hired as a clerk with the Sheriff’s Office in February 1968.
- Appointed deputy sheriff — bookkeeper in the Civil Division in January 1970.
- Named Law Officer of the Year in 1974 by the Greater Cedar Rapids Sertoma Club.
- Promoted to Civil Sergeant in July 1975.
- Longtime ISSDA board member and the first woman elected ISSDA president, serving in 1989.
Accident and retirement
On the morning of January 17, 1991, while driving to an ISSDA board meeting in Des Moines, Sgt. Covington’s vehicle slid on ice and entered the center median. While awaiting a tow, a semi-tractor trailer lost control at the same spot and struck her vehicle. The crash left Evelyn with severe, life-altering injuries; her passenger, LaVonne Frank, was killed. The injuries led to Evelyn’s early retirement in August 1991. She continues to live in northwest Cedar Rapids and maintains occasional contact with Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Program details and application process
- In recognition of her service, the ISSDA Board named the scholarship program for Sgt. Covington. While the program generally provides up to ten $1,000 scholarships each year, the 2026 awards total fifteen $1,000 scholarships.
- Applications are submitted to the ISSDA Scholarship Committee in March annually.
- Award payments are disbursed in two $500 installments (September and February) during the recipient’s first year of college.
- Required materials: completed application form; an essay of at least 200 words describing notable achievements, extracurricular activities, work experience, and any information helpful to the committee; three teacher references (current or former); and a graduation photograph.
- The Scholarship Committee, composed of ISSDA members, reviews all submissions and makes the final selections at Civil School.