Two fallen Iowa State Patrol troopers will be honored today at the Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony.
Sergeant Jim Smith of Independence and Trooper Ted Benda of Decorah will be remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice.
Sgt. Smith died in April of last year, shot by a suspect while responding to a standoff situation in Grundy Center. Trooper Benda died last October in a car accident while responding to a call in Clayton County.
Governor Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens and the State of Iowa will honor the two heroes, along with the many other Iowa officers who have given their lives in the line of duty over the last 153 years.
Today’s Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony will be held at 10 am in Des Moines on the grounds east of the Oran Pape State Office Building.
