Paul Heppner News Today

State Patrol colonel thanks Iowans for supporting troopers amid tragedy. "Were hurting, but were not broken. We are struggling, but were not lost."

INDEPENDENCE — Hundreds of law enforcement officers from around the state and elsewhere saluted Friday as they filed past the flag-draped casket of Iowa State

“Jim’s superpower was his integrity,” Heppner said. Smith is the second Iowa State Patrol officer to be shot and killed in the line of duty since 1936. Investigators say the violence that killed Smith began in Lang‘s hometown of Grundy Center, 80 miles northeast of Des Moines, after an officer tried to pull him over for suspicion of driving without a valid license. A brief chase ensued, and Lang eventually got out and put the officer in a chokehold, disarmed him of his stun gun and yel...

Fallen State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith eulogized as a man of integrity, faith and goofy humor Tony Leys, Des Moines Register Drone video: Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smiths funeral procession Replay Video UP NEXT INDEPENDENCE, Ia. — Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith was remembered Friday as a humble leader who leavened a commitment to justice, faith and family with a goofy sense of humor. “Jim’s superpower was his integrity,” Pastor Paul Heppner told hundreds of mourners gath...

Radio Iowa You are here: Home Speakers at trooper’s funeral describe Sgt. Smith as selfless, man of faith Sgt. Jim Smith A large crowd gathered today 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...

Heppner, interim pastor of Jesup Bible Fellowship, recalled his friend’s habit of playing Christian music, including while on duty. Smith often talked about his faith, including with people who found themselves in the back of his patrol car, the pastor said. “I’ve been told that he held his audience absolutely captive,” Heppner said, drawing chuckles from the audience. Jim was a sheepdog that protected sheep State Patrol Col. Nathan Fulk told mourners that Smith’s biggest vice was cho...