A man has been charged with assault, burglary and damage to property in connection with an early-morning incident April 8 on St. John the Baptist property in Jordan.
A criminal complaint states that Father Neil Bakker, pastor of St. John the Baptist, was the victim of the assault, which ended without serious injury and occurred inside the parish rectory.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda said in a statement that he was shocked to hear of the attack.
“Father Bakker and I have been in contact, and I have reiterated to him the promise of my prayers, and Archdiocesan staff support for him and his parish and school community now and in the coming days and weeks,” the archbishop said. “We need to give thanks to our gracious God that the incident ended as peacefully as it did. I continue to be inspired by the pastoral way in which Father Bakker was able to de-escalate a frightening situation.
“My gratitude also extends to the women and men of the Jordan Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office,” the archbishop said in the statement. “I am told they rushed to Father’s aid, quickly arrested the suspected attacker, and have taken great care of Father since the incident. Their professionalism and compassion are appreciated by all.
“I ask at this time that all people of good will join me in prayer both for Father Bakker and for the person who broke into his rectory,” the archbishop said. “Please join me in praying as well for all those who are victims of violence.”
In an April 8 message to parish and school families, Father Bakker sought similar prayers for the intruder and all those who have been involved in violent incidents. “They truly need our prayers,” Father Bakker wrote.
The criminal complaint details the following:
At 5:24 a.m. April 8, police officers responded after receiving a call from a person reporting an attack from a man with a hammer.
Upon arrival, officers found the caller, Father Bakker. Father Bakker said he had recognized the man — identified in the complaint as 30-year-old John Hiegel — from the previous Sunday, when the man had inquired about doing some work around the church. This offer of work had been declined.
The morning of April 8, Father Bakker woke up hearing someone yelling his name. When he walked to the sitting room adjacent to his bedroom, he saw Hiegel standing there in priest vestments with a mallet in his hand. A physical struggle ensued. At one point, Father Bakker was able to reach his cellphone and turned on its video recorder. When Hiegel left the residence, Father Bakker said he called 911.
Officers found a mallet on the residence’s bathroom floor as well as shattered glass next to the front door and a broken doorframe leading to the bedroom. Officers also found a hammer on the floor of the garage.
Later that morning, officers found Hiegel at another address in Jordan. He told officers he had gotten into his car and drove away after leaving Father Bakker’s residence. Officers took Hiegel into custody. While in custody, an officer executed a search warrant for a sample of Hiegel’s DNA; Hiegel said there was no need for a DNA test because the blood at the scene of the incident was his blood and that he left it on purpose.
Hiegel has been charged with two counts of first-degree burglary (one count with a dangerous weapon), second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and fourth-degree intentional damage to property.
Father Bakker’s message April 8 to parishioners and school families can be read, in full, below:
Dear St. John the Baptist Parish and School Families,
I am writing to you today to let you know of a break-in at our parish rectory early this morning.
Around 5:00 a.m., I was awakened by noises in the rectory and found a man inside. After a brief struggle, the suspect left, and I called 911. Law enforcement responded immediately. Shortly after their arrival, they found the suspect nearby and took him into custody. Because of their quick work, there is no present danger to our parish, school or the community. I am grateful to the Jordan Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and great care of both me and the intruder.
Please know that I am physically fine, but that I welcome your prayers and support at this time. I am working with Archbishop Hebda, and the Archdiocese’s Offices of Safe Environment and Clergy Services to make sure the parish, school and I have what we need now and in the future.
Thank you for understanding that I am unable to share more about the incident because the police investigation is ongoing, and I do not want to jeopardize it in any way.
In addition to praying for me, please pray for the intruder and for all those who have been involved in violent incidents. They truly need our prayers.
I will share more information as I am able, and I thank you in advance for refraining from spreading rumors and speculation while police continue their investigation.
In Christ,
Father Bakker
