INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video is from April 16, 2021
The family of fallen Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Jim Smith is thanking the community for their support during the grieving process.
The 27-year ISP veteran was shot and killed April 9 following a lengthy police pursuit and standoff with Michael Thomas Lang in Grundy Center.
Smith was the leader of the Area C Tactical Response Team, one of four Iowa State Patrol Tactical Response Units throughout the state.
Lang has been charged with Murder in the First Degree.
"The family of Sergeant Jim Smith would like to thank the Independence community, our church families, citizens from across America, Iowa COPS, Governor Reynolds and other leaders of this state, the Iowa State Patrol and his brothers and sisters in blue for helping us through this very difficult time. Your support was, and still is, incredible as we navigate through life without our Superhero. Jim wanted people to seek opportunities to do God’s work and to make a lasting impact for God’s glory. To honor his memory, we ask you to continue supporting law enforcement in this way and to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you."