Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Sylvan Dykstra was accidentally shot and killed by another officer at the department's booking window at 6th and Water Streets.
The officers were standing on opposite sides of the window discussing a case when the other officer's weapon discharged. The round struck Patrolman Dykstra in the head, killing him.
Patrolman Dykstra, a WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran, had served with the Sioux City Police Department for 5 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-73EA1FDB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Dykstra gave the Sioux City Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sioux City community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Sylvan E. Dykstra served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Sylvan E. Dykstra is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IA, 71 of 226 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 31.4% of this state's fallen. That is 0.4 percentage points above the national rate of 31%.
At Sioux City Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sylvan E. Dykstra's cause is highlighted.
How Sylvan E. Dykstra Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Sylvan E. Dykstra is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Sioux City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
