2 more names added to the Iowa Peace Officers Memorial
May 7th, 2022 by Ric Hanson
(Des Moines, Iowa) – Two more Iowa State Patrol troopers’ names have been added to the Iowa Peace Officers Memorial near the statehouse. Trooper Ted Benda and Sgt. Jim Smith were both honored in a ceremony Friday morning. Both lost their lives in the line of duty.
Benda died in October 2021 while responding to a call in Clayton County. He served the department for 15 years. Sgt. Smith was shot and killed in April of 2021 while trying to arrest a suspect in Grundy Center. He served the Iowa State Patrol for 27 years. The trial for the man charged with killing him begins Monday.
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Trooper Benda
Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg attended the event. The Iowa State Patrol says this type event is always emotional for everyone involved.
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Sgt. Smith