(Parkersburg, Iowa) Aplington - Parkersburg head football coach Ed Thomas, 58, was shot and killed June 24th, by Mark Becker, 24, of Parkersburg. Becker was a former player for Thomas.

Thomas was shot in the high school's temporary weightlifting room. Very few details are being released while the case is being investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Becker was apprehended a short time after the murder in rural Parkersburg and charged with 1st Degree Murder. In Iowa, 1st degree Murder carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.

None of the students that were in the weightlifting room at the time of the shooting were injured.

During his 34 years as Aplington - Parkersburg's head coach Thomas has a career record of 292-84 which included 19 playoffs and 2 state championships. In 2005, Thomas was named the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year. There are currently four former players of Thomas' playing in the NFL.

A memorial was set-up across the street from the murder scene. As is a tradition in Parkersburg someone placed red cups in the chain link fence spelling Coach T followed by a heart.

A vigil was held on the high school's Ed Thomas football field also known as the Sacred Acre. The vigil was attended by current and former students, residents of Parkersburg and nearby towns and rival coaches and players.

In May 2008, an EF-5 tornado destroyed part of Parkersburg including Thomas' home and the high school. Thomas was an inspiration to the community as the rebuilding process started. In 3 months Thomas had the football field ready for the first game of the season.

Thomas was more then football coach he was about building individuals to survive in the world after high school.One current player quoted Thomas, "If all you learn about is X's and O's then I've failed."

Now, 13 months after the tornado the football team must rebuild again. This time without Thomas. With the foundation he has laid they will be as strong as ever.