John Sarcone '68

Distinguished Alumnus
John Patrick Sarcone is a 1968 graduate of Dowling High School. While at Dowling, he received the Aquinas Key, made the honor roll each quarter, was editor of the school newspaper and participated in golf, receiving a varsity letter his senior year. 

After high school, he attended Rockhurst College (now Rockhurst University) in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated cum laude in 1972 earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in history and political science. He enrolled in Drake Law School and received his Juris Doctor degree from Drake in 1975, the same year he passed the Iowa Bar Exam and was admitted to the practice of law. 

John started his legal career in July 1975 working at the Polk County Offender’s Office. He represented indigent defendants charged with criminal offenses ranging from simple misdemeanors to Class A felonies. He worked at the Offender Advocate Office from 1975 until 1979 when he accepted a position to work as an Assistant Attorney General for Attorney General Thomas Miller. He worked as a staff attorney in the Environmental Law Division of the Attorney General’s Office until 1984 when he was appointed as the supervisor of the Environmental Law Division. He served in that position until January 1991. 

In 1990 he ran for and was elected to the position of Polk County Attorney and served in that position until he retired in January 2023. He was re-elected without opposition in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. During his time as Polk County Attorney, he served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa County Attorney’s Association for over twenty years and served as President of the Iowa County Attorney’s Association in 1998. He served as the State Director for the State of Iowa on the National District Attorney’s Association and later as Vice-President of the National District Attorney’s Association until his retirement in January 2023. He tried numerous homicide cases including child death and domestic violence homicides. 

After more than 47 years of public service, he retired to spend time with his wife, Nancy ‘71 SJA, their children, DCHS alumni Maria Zenti ‘96 (Todd ‘91), James Sarcone ‘98 and Patricia Beck ‘03 (James), and their ten grandchildren. 
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Dowling Catholic High School

Dowling Catholic High School is committed to serving the Greater Des Moines Catholic community and embracing learners of all faiths. In an environment that is faithful, caring and dedicated, Dowling Catholic forms each student to become a Christ-centered leader.