Police in West Des Moines are mourning one of their officers who lost his life in a crash Wednesday afternoon, just north of DeSoto. 47-year old Officer Shawn Miller, of West Des Moines, succumbed to injuries he suffered when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car in Dallas County, near the intersection of Highway 169 and Interstate 80. The accident happened at around 1:30-p.m.

The Iowa State Patrol said a car driven by 38-year old Jeanette Keifer, of Stratford, was northbound on Highway 169 and failed to yield in an attempt to turn left onto westbound I-80. Miller, who was traveling south on 169 could not stop his 2008 Harley Davidson cycle in-time, and hit the passenger side of the car. He had attending court proceedings at the Dallas County Courthouse prior to the crash. The hearing dealt with a hit-and-run case.

According to the West Des Moines P-D, Officer Miller had been with the department for 26 years and was set to be promoted to sergeant. He and his wife have three children. The Police Department asks for the community’s support and prayers during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.