DES MOINES, Iowa –— This Friday (May 6th), Governor Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens and the state of Iowa will honor two Iowa State Patrol Troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice – Trooper Ted Benda and Sergeant Jim K. Smith.  Each of the officers dedicated their lives to serving Iowans to protect and keep our communities safe. You are welcome to attend the event or view it through the Iowa State Patrol’s Facebook Live page. (additional details can be found below)

The ceremony will honor Trooper Benda and Sgt. Smith, as well as the many other Iowa officers who have given their lives in the line of duty over the last 153 years.

On the evening of October 14th, 2021, Trooper Ted Benda was in route to assist a local law enforcement agency with the apprehension of a wanted subject in Clayton County. Trooper Benda was traveling down Highway 51 in rural Allamakee County. At approximately 11:30 p.m., Trooper Benda encountered a deer on the roadway. Evasive action was taken where he lost control of his vehicle, rolling it several times. Trooper Benda was airlifted to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he died from his injuries six days later. Trooper Benda served the Department of Public Safety for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Trooper Benda

On April 9, 2021, 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 the subject stopped and confronted law enforcement and antagonized them to shoot him. The man then assaulted one of the officers and disarmed him after placing the officer in a chokehold. The subject was able to get back into his car and fled to his home.

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 p.m. The man was wounded by return fire, taken into custody, and charged with murder.

Sgt. Smith

Sergeant Smith had served with the Iowa State Patrol for 27 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

IOWA PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL CEREMONY

Friday, May 6, 2022
10:00 AM

Iowa Peace Officer Memorial
Grounds East of Oran Pape State Office Building
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(Rain Location: State Capitol rotunda)

FACEBOOK LIVE: Iowa State Patrol