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Incident
Sergeant Jim Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject who had assaulted and disarmed another law enforcement officer during a traffic stop near Grundy Center.
The subject initially fled as officers attempted to stop him but stopped and confronted them and antagonized them to shoot him. The man then assaulted one of the officers and disarmed him after placing the officer in a chokehold. He was able to get back into his car and fled to his home at 305 G Avenue.
Responding officers established a perimeter around the home and established an arrest team. When the arrest team entered the home, the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Sergeant Smith. Other members of the team were able to remove Sergeant Smith from the home. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The subject shot at an Iowa State Patrol tactical team at about 11:50 pm. The man was wounded by return fire, taken into custody, and charged with murder. In May 2022, he was found guilty of first-degree murder, assault, and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Sergeant Smith had served with the Iowa State Patrol for 27 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Smith gave the Iowa State Patrol 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iowa State Patrol has lost 12 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 3 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 51. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Fridays: 14%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 12 deaths at Iowa State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Iowa State Patrol has 12 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Oran H. Pape
Apr 30, 1936
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Harold Emmerson Klinkefus
May 18, 1949
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Harold Clarence DeGear
Feb 19, 1954
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Ralph Franklin Garthwaite
Jul 2, 1955
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Marvin C. VanderLinden
Jun 11, 1965
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Charles Gerald Whitney
Jun 16, 1985
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Lance G. Dietsch
Jun 30, 1989
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Stanley E. Gerling
Jun 30, 1989
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Allen Patrick Nieland
Oct 14, 1990
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Mark Edward Toney
Sep 20, 2011
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James Kyle Smith
Apr 9, 2021
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Theodore Lawrence Benda
Oct 20, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Iowa State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
