Iowa State Trooper Killed During Stand-Off
Iowa State Trooper James Smith died last night from a single gunshot wound received during a police stand-off last night in Grundy Center.
Smith was shot after he and three other troopers entered the residence at 305 G Ave to apprehend Michael Lang.
Late Friday afternoon Lang a Grundy Center police officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Lang. Lang attempt to elude the officer before stopping on 250th Ave southeast of Grundy Center. During the stop, Lang allegedly fought with the officer, taking his taser and choking the officer.
A Grundy County deputy arrived on the scene to assist ordering Lang to surrender. According to the deputy, Lang told the deputy to, “Come get me.” He then reentered his vehicle leaving scene.
The Grundy County deputy gave chase, but Lang was able to elude the officer. The deputy then drove to Lang’s last known address and saw the suspect’s vehicle and the suspect entering his home through the garage door.
Law enforcement officials from multiple agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol arrived to assist.
Four Iowa State Patrol troopers and a Hardin County K-9 entered through the garage to apprehend Lang who allegedly fired the shot hitting Trooper Smith. Two troopers sought cover in the home’s basement while other entry team members pulled Trooper Smith from the building.
He was immediately transported to Grundy County Memorial Hospital where he died from his wound.
Upon arrival of an armored personnel vehicle, Iowa State Patrol tactical team members reentered the home in another attempt to apprehend Lang. The suspect allegedly fired multiple rounds at the troopers who returned fire striking Lang multiple times. Lang was arrested and transported to the University of Iowa hospital where he underwent surgery for multiple gunshot wounds and is in critical condition according to Iowa Department of Public Safety officials.
Lang is charged with Murder in the First Degree and bond set at one million dollars. This charge follows a March 31 incident where Lang was ticketed for First Degree trespassing but had not entered a plea in that case.
Trooper James Smith is a twenty-seven year veteran of the Iowa State Patrol working in the Oelwein district for twenty-four of those years. He was married and has two children.
Smith is only the second trooper to die in the line of duty from a firearm, the first being Trooper Oran Pape in 1936. He is the eleventh trooper to lose his life while on duty.