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.
The subject initially fled as officers attempted to stop him but stopped and confronted them and antagonized them to shoot him. The subject 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.
Responding officers established a perimeter around the home and put together an entry team. When the team entered the home, the subject opened fire with a shotgun, hitting 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.
After he shot Sergeant Smith the subject was wounded by return fire, taken into custody, and charged with murder.
Sergeant Smith had served with the Iowa State Patrol for 27 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.