Incident
Police Officer Jamie Buenting was shot and killed during a standoff at a home on Pleasant Street at approximately 1:40 am.
Officers had responded to the home approximately four hours earlier after receiving a report that a man wanted for felony domestic assault was at the location. The man refused to exit the home when officers arrived and barricade himself inside. The subject fired a single shot at approximately 1:40 am and struck Officer Buenting, killing him. The subject remained barricaded inside his home until surrendering at approximately 5:30 am.
On September 5, 2014, the suspect, 32, was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Buenting had served with the 4-officer Rockwell City Police Department for eight years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 12 years.
Officers had responded to the home approximately four hours earlier after receiving a report that a man wanted for felony domestic assault was at the location. The man refused to exit the home when officers arrived and barricade himself inside. The subject fired a single shot at approximately 1:40 am and struck Officer Buenting, killing him. The subject remained barricaded inside his home until surrendering at approximately 5:30 am.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IA-B0060DF1- Stewardship
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- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Buenting gave the Rockwell City Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockwell City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Buenting.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jamie Daniel Buenting is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jamie Daniel Buenting's cause is highlighted.
How Jamie Daniel Buenting Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jamie Daniel Buenting is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jamie Daniel Buenting was killed by rifle; .223 caliber.