Statue Honoring Fallen State Trooper Planned in Independence

The mustang statue seen above is being made possible through a donation to the Independence Community School District. It is part of a larger renovation project in honor of fallen Iowa State Patrol sergeant and Independence native, Jim Smith.

Leinbaugh football field, named after the former coach, Lyle Leinbaugh will also be graced with a brand new entrance plaza, as seen below, where the statue will also be placed, according to KCRG.

The late Jim Smith was killed in a standoff last year with Michael Lang. KCCI reports that Lang was sentenced to life in prison (without parole) in the fatal shooting of Smith in Grundy Center in 2021.

Funding for the Mustang statue is being donated to the school by the Smith family. Another $50,000 for funding toward the field project is coming from a one-cent sales tax and a remaining $100,000 will be needed, is, and is expected to be covered by Further details on the project and a link for the public to donate to the field renovation project can be found in the Facebook post above.

The family of Sgt. Smith has also set up a memorial scholarship fund in his name, called the "Remembering 462" scholarship.

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Source: Statue Honoring Fallen State Trooper Planned in Independence

Filed Under: Independence Community Schools, Iowa State Patrol, nl, Sgt. Jim Smith