Iowa State Troopers Who Died In 2021 Honored At Peace Officer Memorial

(Des Moines, Iowa) -- Two Iowa State Troopers who died in the line of duty last year, were honored at the annual Peace Officer Memorial ceremony in Des Moines. Law enforcement agencies gathered near at The Iowa Peace Officer Memorial near the Capitol for the annual Ceremony.

Iowa State Trooper Ted Benda and Sergeant Jim Smith were honored.

Benda died October 20th 2021 after crashing his patrol car north of Postville while responding to a call in northeast Iowa's Clayton County.

Sergeant Jim Smith was a 27-year veteran of the State Patrol. He died of a gunshot wound April 9th during a standoff in Grundy Center.

Michael Thomas Lang has been charged with first-degree murder in Smith's death. Trial has been set for May in Webster City following a change of venue.

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