(Independence) — A large crowd gathered Friday in the Independence high school gym for the funeral of an Iowa State Trooper who was shot to death a week ago during a stand-off with an armed man in Grundy Center. For more than half an hour, officers from all over the country saluted as they filed by
Sergeant Jim Smith’s flag-draped casket. Paul Heppner, interim pastor at Smith’s church in Jesup, spoke of the trooper’s faith to start the service.
Hepner called Smith “the real deal.”
John Noll, the worship leader at Smith’s church, delivered a closing prayer.
Colonel Nathan Fulk, chief of the Iowa State Patrol, called Smith a selfless leader.
It’s been 85 years since the last time an Iowa State Trooper has been shot to death while on duty.
As is customary, a final radio call for Smith was played to conclude the service.
Smith, who was 51, leaves behind a wife, a daughter and a son. Smith’s family has established a memorial fund to finance a scholarship in his name.
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(Feature photo courtesy of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.)
