Sgt. James K. Smith #462

On April 9th, 2021, Sergeant Jim Smith was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a subject who had assaulted another law enforcement officer during a traffic stop near Grundy Center, Iowa. The suspect initially fled the scene to his residence in Grundy Center. Responding officers set up a perimeter and established an arrest team. As the arrest team made entry into the residence, the suspect opened fire with a shotgun, striking Sgt. Smith. Other members of the arrest team were able to remove Sgt. Smith from the residence. He was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

After a brief standoff, the suspect fired upon an Iowa State Patrol Tactical Unit. Troopers returned fire striking and wounding the suspect. He was arrested and charged with the murder of Sgt. Jim Smith.

 

Sgt. Smith was a 27 year veteran of the Iowa State Patrol and a member of the Tactical Unit for 25 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.