Family that we killed their son. Ryan s. Brandon Ellingsons death on missouris lake of the ozarks was ruled an accidental drowning. But nearly a year and a half later a former water patrol , supervisor is speaking out. As soon as Brandon Ellingson got onto tony piercys boat, i believe it was a death march. Ryan s. sgt. Randy henry of the missouri Highway Patrol was working that night and interviewed trooper Anthony Piercy immediately after the accident. This happened on our watch. It shouldnt have happened. It was totally preventable, and it was a cover up. Ryan s. may 2014 trooper piercy arrests ellingson for boating while intoxicated. Those critical moments after on the Highway Patrol boat have been criticized by brandons family and spurred legislative hearings. Trooper piercy admits he placed the wrong life jacket on ellingson who was handcuffed when he went overboard. He was totally defenseless in that boat. Ryan s. sgt. Henry says the Highway Patrol hid key evidence during a coroners inquest that ultimately cleared piercy of facing criminal charges. The video reenactment of the. Myself were not called in to testify. I was told the reason why i wasnt going to be there because i would muddy the waters. Ryan s. we traveled to the ozarks. In an exclusive interview this week sgt. Henry tells kcci piercy should be held accountable for negligence on the water. Should someone have faced criminal charges for what happened on the lake that day . Yes i believe so. Ryan s. what charges . Manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter. Ryan s. kcci has repeatedly asked for comment from both trooper piercy and the mhp but no ones talking. Henry officially retires next month. Now the officer who spent three decades loyal to the badge says he is partly to blame for ellingsons drowning. I was part of the system. I signed off on tony piercy to work the water. Ryan s. you regret that now. Yes i regret it 100 . Its something im going to have to live with for the rest of my life. Elizabeth that was ryan smith reporting. He also spoke to brandons father about sgt. Henrys actions as a whistle blower. He hopes sgt. Henrys account of what happened will help spur action. Im just glad theres people in the patrol that are willing to step forward and do the right thing. By him stepping forward telling the truth, it should renew the interest and hopefully well get some answers. Hopefully we will get some result out of this. Get some resolve out of this. Elizabeth ellingson says the familys pursuit of charges in federal court is moving forward. Representatives of the missouri Highway Patrol will be in iowa next month for depositions. Eric charges against the driver involved in a deadly des moines car crash monday. Police arrested 24yearold troy lee mure jr. Today just after he was released from the hospital. 22yearold scalicity perez, a mother of 4 was killed in the crash. Officials say mure was drunk when he crashed his car into a utility pole in the 600 block of 35th street. Perez was a passenger in the car. Perezs family tells kcci she and mure were dating and perez had just broken up with mure the day before. Mure is at the polk county jail charged with vehicular homicide by reckless driving, vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated and owi. Elizabeth a colfax family is desperate to get its therapy horse back. Kccis Laura Terrell explains why they suspect the animal was stolen right from their yard. Laura as the mother of nine adopted children and 3 foster children, denise carrolls home is often chaotic. But the one thing the family can always count on to keep them calm is horses. This area right here is where they are normally in. Laura carroll uses therapy horses to help her foster children with special needs. To be able to have an animal they can have a trust with and is so good for them. Laura but the familys newest horse buddy recently disappeared overnight. We drove around and looked for two hours and we couldnt find him anywhere. I hate to think that somebody would actually steal him but he is an amazing horse. Laura buddy seen here in these photos was donated to the family by a woman in arkansas and is a specially trained therapy horse. One of our kids it helped so much with his anxiety. We want him home. He is so beneficial for the kids in our home. Laura the carrolls say a horse like buddy would normally go for 5,000 or 6,000, something the family would never be able to afford on its own. The Jasper County sheriff even posted a picture of buddy on its Facebook Page which has now been shared more than 400 times. We have prayers and so many people praying to bring him home to us. Laura Laura Terrell, kcci 8 news, iowas news leader. Elizabeth buddy was last seen colfax south of interstate 80. Please call the Jasper CountySheriffs Office if you have any information at 6417925912. Metinka, it feels great eric metinka, it feels great. Metinka no rain, no fog to worry about this morning. Temps holding in the 50s. Everything like it today everything liquid today. Tomorrow, everything turns interesting. It is going to change over to wintry mix. You can see i speculation across portions of western iowa. That is going to be followed by cold air. The weather is getting very active. Capitol tuesday supporting all refugees. This comes on the heels of governor branstads request for state agencies to stop work on resettling any Syrian Refugees into iowa. Eric the u. N. Secretary general is urging European Countries to be more compassionate towards refugees from the middle east. A group in des moines is urging iowa to do the same. Kccis Mark Tauscheck was there. Mark like minds gathered on the Capitol Steps in des moines. The atrocities that are happening in syria, it feels like we need to be reaching out. Mark all brought together after governor branstads comments last week concerning the syrian refugee crisis. Its a very delicate and dangerous situation. We dont want to become like europe where they let all these refugees in. It was really disheartening to see one group persecuted simply out of fear in this state. Mark in the crowd was shan abbasi, a drake student whose family emigrated here from pakistan. He believes the u. S. Has a duty to address the crisis that has led to 12 million syrians fleeing their homeland. If america did not destabilize iraq and remove Saddam Hussein without justification, isis would not have gain power. Thats where we have a direct responsibility to this issue more so than the European Countries do. Mark abbasi says his grandfather was a refugee during the indian civil war and its not just the u. S. And all states like iowa that needs to step up. I want america to take in refugees. I think other countries need to step up also. Im very disappointed that the muslim countries have failed to take in refugees. Eric the rally was organized by a local group called global arts therapy. After the event they dropped off a letter at governor branstads Office Asking him to speak out in favor of welcoming Syrian Refugees to iowa. Millions of americans are already traveling for thanksgiving. But this years holiday comes with a warning. Elizabeth the state department is issuing that alert to travelers all the way through february. Kccis rose heaphy explains what the security measures will look like here in iowa. Rose its the start of the thanksgiving travel rush. So far so good. Rose the Meyers Family of johnston is doing their best to beat the crowds. Their next stop . Going through airport security. Im not worried about it. Im thinking it might take a little more time. Rose federal Authorities Say theyre increasing travel security measures and with bigger crowds for the holidays that means longer lines. Be patient throughout the process. The Security Officers will do their best to give them a Good Customer Service experience while being thorough and effective in their screening processes. Rose among those processes could include more random screening. Officials are also asking people to report any suspicious activity. Folks should also be vigilant because passengers themselves are a layer of security and weve seen that in the past so passengers should always be alert. Rose des moines airport leaders say wednesday morning will see the biggest rush. They expect to screen about 1500 people from 6 00 to 8 00 a. M. Show up early. We always say a hour and a half before the flight. You may want to add a little extra time. Parking may be a little bit of a challenge tomorrow. Rose a challenge for many travelers thats worth the wait. My mom is just like get here as soon as possible so i can see her. Elizabeth officials are asking everyone to familiarize themselves with whats allowed in carry on bags. You can find a link on our website for those rules. Still ahead this wednesday morning new poll shows new leaders in the republican race for president in iowa. What pulled ben carson down and ted cruz up. Eric plus this restaurant has been cooking a free turkey dinner for people in need in des why this may be chucks biggest this is iowas news leader. This is kcci 8 news this morning with eric hanson, elizabeth klinge, meteorologist kurtis gertz and right now coverage with shaina humphries. Metinka good morning. You are waking up to a really warm start. Already 50 degrees. Some 40s to the north. Everybody is waking up to above freezing temperatures. This is going to be a day of change. Later, some drizzle will be developing. Temperatures remain very mild. Headed for a high of 53 degrees. Things begin to change as we head toward tomorrow. We have a winter storm watch that is already been issued. Digital for potential for Ice Accumulation. Elizabeth theres been a shift in iowa when it comes to the republican front runners for president. Eric the latest quinnipiac poll shows 25 of likely caucusgoers support donald trump. Ted cruz has now moved into second place with 23 . Ben carson who used to be neck and neck with trump now sits in third with 18 . Marco rubio rounds out the top 4. So what pushed up cruzs numbers . And caused carson to slide . Elizabeth kcci chief political reporter Cynthia Fodor shows us. Cynthia at fridays family forum ted cruz wowed the Christian Conservative crowd with his unwavering commitment to his convictions. We need somebody who wont back down and do what they say they will do. Not make promises and not keep them. Cynthia the texas senator has had a strategy in iowa to be the last man standing with a strong ground organization. Cruz has been trailing along the 2 leaders the way a pilot fish trails waiting to gobble up what he leaves behind. Ted cruz has been like a fox in weeds waiting for carson to cynthia many blame dr. Ben carson slide is based on his lack of Foreign Policy knowledge after the paris attacks. I wouldnt hire him to be president. Doesnt have level of experience in a dangerous world to keep us safe. One of the cbs polls over the weekend showed iowa voters choose ted cruz to be commander in chief by a large margin. Cynthia when it comes to Foreign Policy, 24 of likely caucusgoers like cruz best. 18 for trump, 15 rubio. On terrorism they choose trump with 30 , cruz 20 , rubio 10 . Trumps got my vote. I just think hell do a good job running the country. Cynthia but the most important issue to islands, issue two iowans, the economy. Trump is way on top, 49 . Cruz way below, 11 . Carson, rubio and fiorina, 6 . In iowa this weekend in des morning, des Moines Newton , and tama on sunday. Marco rubio was also in town at the airport holiday inn at the iowa pastors policy briefing at 6 30 last night. Eric 53 by the end of the day. Thanks start to change over the metinkas full a weather is never more than 5 minutes away, only on kcci 8 news this morning. Metinka good morning. It is a warm start. It is going to be a great day for travel. Temperatures are all above freezing. Puddles here and there from all of the freezing. 45 and fort dodge. Really a mild start. The clouds have moved in across the state. So far, no precipitation with these clouds. That will change. The system is off to the west. As it does so, we will have the lowlevel moisture increasing. That will happen by mid to late afternoon. Tomorrow, a winter storm watch in effect for these little shaded counties. For these blue shaded counties. Lets time and out with futurecast. This morning, well watch for drizzle. We have a chance for wintry precipitation as well. Today, it doesnt want to play for us. I want to try former time. I would to try it one more time. We expect drizzle today. Everything liquid or this evening. As we head toward tomorrow, we are going to start out with the rains. It is going to be heavy at times. Notice the wintry mix on the backside. That is going to cause some headaches on the roadways. This is coming after we pick up significant rainfall. One to two inches of rain across the state on your thinks giving day, followed by a. 1 inch of ice. None of that to worry about today. Just a little bit of giselle this afternoon. Headed for a high of 53. That winter makes changing over. Friday, the chilly. Friday, pretty chilly. Eric preparations are well underway for des moines biggest free thanksgiving dinner. Elizabeth kccis emmy victor visited chucks restaurant in des moines where volunteers are cooking free meals for those in need. I tell people how many gallons of gravy and how many turkeys. Who do you cook for . Emmy if you ever thought cooking for ten people was hard. Meet the volunteers preparing free meals for 4000. When you think of the numbers, you think how are we going to get this done . Emmy this overwhelming amount of food will go to families that are less fortunate. A thanksgiving dinner this large requires concentration and dedication. I think ive cooked over 30,000 pounds of turkey in the past 20 us years, so no, i dont eat turkey anymore. Emmy making these meals is a labor of love. Its a plus if you have skills in the kitchen. But there is a job for everyone with passion. Its sort of like an assembly line. Volunteers get together and spend hours working different stations and preparing the meals. This annual tradition started over three decades ago. Many volunteers request time off from work to do this. Or sacrifice their thanksgiving day to deliver or hand out meals. When you can help others it can really make you feel good. Emmy emmy victor, kcci 8 news, iowas news leader news leader. Elizabeth anyone in need can go to chucks restaurant from 11 00 a. M. To 2 00 p. M. Thanksgiving day. Advance requests to reserve a meal, pickup or delivery, can be made at 515 2624605. Eric we wanted to tell you about the new record at this years new combat hunger. Iowans donated more than 270,000 pounds of food for the food bank of iowa. Its the 25th year for the event. The previous record was 255,000 vanessa more and more iowans are opting out of this when it comes to holiday shopping. You what theyre doing instead metinka good morning. We are waking up to a warm start. Five minutes before 5 00 a. M. Temps today will not be changing temperatures today stay above freezing. Overnight, lows remain. Light rain will be developing after midnight. Todays travel is ok. Tomorrow is kind of iffy by the afternoon. Falling temperatures in the afternoon. We will pick up some locally heavy rainfall early in the day. It changes over to a wintry mix. 11 inch of issa chelation iss. 1 inch of Ice Accumulation is possible. They dont order 10,000 of them. They order 10 of them. Elizabeth a new shopping tradition is gaining traction. Black friday once was the go to time for holiday shopping. Now an alternative is gaining popularity. Eric kccis vanessa peng shows us why shoppers are becoming more into unique gifts and communities than cheap deals. Vanessa move over black friday a new shopping tradition is gaining momentum. I would prefer saturday. I dont really go to the big stores. This is kind of where i prefer to shop. Vanessa Small Business saturday is fast becoming the new way to holiday shop. As Small Business saturday has gained momentum, black friday has lost momentum. Vanessa iowa state researchers say as compared to last Holiday Season this year 5 more people will shop local. We definitely have over the years seen more and more people come to the downtown to shop even on friday afternoon. Vanessa ames city leaders say nearly 70 of every dollar spent at a Small Business stays in the local community. We are members of the Community Just like the customers are. By supporting local business , your supporting the people you love, the people that are your friends the people that are your vanessa and buying your loved one something unique . Thats just a bonus. When you buy the Big Box Stores you know you see , thousands of other people with the same piece of jewelry or clothing or whatever. And i just love to give a little special gift that everybodys not going to have. Eric on saturday ames city leaders will giveaway 500 of these swag bags to people they catch Walking Around on main street. They also have a full day of activities planned including breakfast with santa and cookie decorating. Elizabeth a des moines holiday tradition started last night. Jolly holiday lights started letting in cars at 5 30. The light display runs until 10 00 every night until january 1. Admission is 10 per car but more for limos and buses. Tickets are available at hyvee, caseys and online at iowa. Wish. Org. Eric still ahead, overnight protests. The city people are taking a