Honoree: James K. Smith

Hometown: Independence, IA
Branch of Service: Police Department
Rank: Sergeant
Player: Colin Prater
Sergeant Jim Smith, 51, of Independence, IA was shot and killed April 9, 2021, while attempting to arrest a subject who had assaulted and disarmed another law enforcement officer during a traffic stop near Grundy Center and had subsequently barricaded himself in his home. Sgt. Smith was hit by gunfire as the entry team was searching in the upstairs area of the house.
Sergeant Smith was a 1988 graduate of LaSalle High School in Cedar Rapids. He studied Criminology at Kirkwood Community College and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1992. In 1994, Jim became a member of the Tactical Team for the Iowa State Patrol. He served with this team for twenty-six years and led them for five.
Quality time with his family was most important to Sgt. Smith. He made them laugh every second of every day, and the memories of wheezing until their lungs hurt will be cherished forever. He 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.
Sergeant Smith is survived by his wife and two children.