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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Kipton Hayward was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while diverting traffic from I-80/I-35 onto Route 69 as a result of an earlier accident. He was standing outside of his patrol car when the driver struck him. The man continued driving for over a mile until he was stopped by an Iowa State trooper near the original accident scene. The 31-year-old driver was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released after serving only four years. Deputy Hayward was a member of the previously known Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) and the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program. He had just recently returned to duty after having been struck by another drunk driver that had left him with a broken leg.
Survivors
Deputy Hayward is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Hayward served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Hayward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Polk County Sheriff has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Kipton is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Kipton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kipton 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 1993, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1993, 101 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1993, 110 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 53rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kipton was 40. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41.
Kipton was 40. 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.
Kipton was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 8.5% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Saturdays: 22.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Polk County Sheriff, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 3.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Polk County Sheriff has 4 officers remembered here, Kipton among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Polk County Sheriff are honored on badge.nw.
