SGT. JIM SMITH MEMORIAL...Remembering 462

In an attempt to show appreciation for Jim's service to the State of Iowa, there is a project to get state highway 150 memorialized as “Sgt. Jim Smith Memorial Highway.” Fifteen (15) signs will be purchased for a total of $9,000.  An account has been set up at BankIowa if you'd like to make a donation. Thank you in advance for helping us reach our goal.  We are currently at $890.00 as of December 10, 2024.... Please send your gift to:  

BankIowa, c/o Sgt. Jim Smith Memorial Highway, 230 1st Street East, Independence, IA 50644

If you would like to donate to our Hero Center (Community & Event Center) in Jim's honor, please click on the link.  What might the Hero Center include?

Multi purpose full court basketball gym & possible multisport capabilities, community game room, offices, classrooms/meeting rooms, coffee shop/dining & lounge areas, exercise equipment, outside park structure, outdoor pavilion for events, and kitchen facilities.

This small drone is capable of being flown indoors to clear buildings and confined areas that need to be searched in a safe and effective way. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received this drone in late November 2024 and officially put it into service.

This drone is called “Air 4”. To honor Sergeant Smith’s memory, it will be referred to as “Air 4(62)” to honor Sergeant Smith’s badge number, 462. 

This is the new Iowa State Patrol Transport Plane. N462JS.  Number 462 Jim Smith. That was so kind of them to pay tribute to Jim.

We are thankful to the Iowa State Patrol and the Department of Transportation for organizing this bridge dedication project in memory of Jim. We are also grateful to the Iowa State Patrol Trooper’s Association, the Iowa State Patrol Supervisor’s Association, and the Iowa State Patrol Retiree’s Association for purchasing the signs. These signs will serve as a reminder of Jim’s sacrifice and dedication to protect and serve, not only this community, but the entire state of Iowa. Jim lived a life of service to God, the State Patrol, and those around him.

Saving a Hero's Place traveled to Iowa in July 2023 to build an honor chair for Jim with the participation of his fellow officers and family.  It was placed at the ISP HQ in Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information about Saving a Hero's place and their mission... https://savingaherosplace.org/our-story/

The mission of this project was to improve the entrance to the Independence Stadium. The entryway was relocated with a new ticket booth. Two distinct memorial sections were created for both Coach Lyle Leinbaugh and Sergeant Jim Smith. There is a new mustang statue located in the memorial section for Jim. 

The Oelwein Police Department honored Jim and Ted Benda when they made these beautiful updates to the outside of their buildings. 

This memorial tree was planted in Jim's memory in 2021. It is located at ISP Post 13 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in the area he was stationed when he first became an Iowa State Trooper in 1993. The tree was donated by Egli Landscaping, Inc. and plaque was donated by Whitney Monument Works.

The bill includes a provision named after Jim. The provision expands access to existing grant funding to multijurisdictional task forces, which will help law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle violent crimes that cross multiple jurisdictions.