News : Iowa State Patrol and Buchanan Co. Grateful For Support In Loss of Sgt. Smith

Friday, the Iowa State Patrol laid to rest a hero in Sergeant Jim Smith, who courageously served the State of Iowa for 27 years. He made the ultimate sacrifice attempting to arrest a barricaded subject in Grundy Center on Friday, April 9, 2021.

"The Iowa State Patrol is honored and blessed to have served this great state with Sergeant Smith," said Iowa State Patrol Colonel Nathan Fulk. "As our brother, he was strong in his faith, dedicated to his family and committed to public service and his community. He loved protecting the people of Iowa, and he performed his job with a passion and compassion that touched countless lives. This tremendous loss has impacted everyone in the Iowa State Patrol and the Department of Public Safety family. We want to thank his community of Independence, the unified law enforcement community, Iowa COPS, first responders and citizens nationwide for the outpouring of support. Though his watch has ended, we will never forget Sergeant Jim Smith's service."

Sergeant Smith began his career as a member of the Department of Public Safety's 19th Basic Academy in 1993. Upon graduation, he was first stationed in Fairfield at District 13, and in 1996 relocated to District 10 located in Oelwein. Trooper Jim Smith was proud and humbled by his position as an Iowa State Trooper. He consistently performed his duties every day with the motoring public safely, which was his number one priority. He performed his duties with the "I can make a difference" law enforcement mindset. He took on the role of leader with the Area C Tactical Team, devoting time on and off duty, to complete the tactical team mission.

In a note on their Facebook page, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department thanked the Benton County Sheriff's Department for taking over their duties so that the officers in Buchanan County could attend the funeral of Sergeant Jim Smith.

"Sheriff Buzynski and his staff want to thank the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the Delaware County Sheriff's Office for sending deputies to assist us by taking calls and handling patrol duties in Buchanan County while our agency was attending the funeral service."

In attendance at the funeral, there were several police officrs, fire departments, sheriff's departments, and state troopers from not only Iowa but across the country who were at the funeral of Sergeant Smith. Many in Benton County saw vehicles making their way through Vinton on Friday to attend.