Sergeant James K. Smith - Iowa State Patrol - True Life Hero

James K. Smith ("Jim")
- Apr. 09, 2021 -

(30424)

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Iowa State Police Patch

Resided:	Independence IA, USA
Born:	Dec. 10, 1969
Fallen:	Apr. 09, 2021
Race/Sex:	Caucasian Male / 51 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	Iowa State Patrol 215 East 7th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 USA (515)725-6196
County:	Des Moines
Dept. Type:	State/Police
Hero's Rank:	Sergeant
Sworn Date:	Unk
FBI Class:	Homicide - Alcohol/Gun
Weapon Class:	Firearm
Agency URL:	Click Here
Badge:	462
On The Job:	27 years
Duties:	stationed at District #10, Oelwein,IA

Bio: Jim was born on December 10, 1969, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Everett and Mary (Milder) Smith. He was a 1988 graduate of LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids. Jim went on to study criminology at Kirkwood Community College, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992. He worked as a security guard and later as a counselor at Four Oaks in Bertram.

On August 14, 1993, Jim married Kathryn J. Glanz at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Together, they had two amazing children, Zander and Jazlyn Smith.

On December 10, 1993, Jim graduated with the 19th Basic Department of Public Safety Academy. Jim and Kathy lived in Fairfield for a few years before making their home in Independence in 1996. Jim was stationed with the Iowa State Patrol District #10 out of Oelwein. In 1994, he became a member of the tactical team for the Iowa State Patrol. Jim served with this team for 26 years, and led them for five. His team, brothers and sisters in blue, were a part of his family.

Jim was a member of Jesup Bible Fellowship. He served God on the Elder board and through lessons to the congregation and youth groups. He also was a member of the praise team, where he played the drums to worship the Lord. Jim's devotion led him to spend time studying the Bible daily.

Quality time with his family was most important to Jim. He made them laugh every second of every day, and the memories of wheezing until their lungs hurt will be cherished forever.

Jim will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He was an upholder of justice, a loving husband and father, a comedian, a humble man of God, and a superhero. To this day, nobody has seen Batman and Jim in the same room.

Survived by:

Wife

Children
(2)

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	Michael Thomas Lang :: Caucasian / Male - 41 years old
	Pic 1
Location:	Grundy Center, Grundy County, IA USA Fri. Apr. 09, 2021
Summary:	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 stopped and confronted them and antagonized them to shoot him. The man then assaulted one of the officers and disarmed him after placing the officer in a chokehold. He was able to get back into his car and fled to his home at 305 G Avenue. 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 pm. The man was wounded by return fire, taken into custody, and charged with murder.
Source:	Website Click
Source:	Website Click

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Last Updated: Jun. 20, 2021