A man known to local law enforcement officers in Grundy Center, shot an Iowa State Patrol Trooper who was part of a tactical entry team, following an incident that began late Friday night. The Trooper, Sgt. Jim Smith, a 27-year veteran of the Patrol, died from a single gunshot would, after being transported to the Grundy County Memorial Hospital. He was the 11th Trooper to die in the line of duty in the history of the Patrol. Trooper Mark Toney was the last to die in 2011, when he tried to make a traffic stop.

ISP Sgt. Jim Smith

During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Iowa DPS Asst. Director of Criminal Investigation, Mitch Mortvedt, said Sgt. Smith was shot by 41-year old Michael Thomas Lang, of Grundy Center. He was shot several times during a standoff, and transported to the University of Iowa Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Lang faces one Class A felony count of murder in the first degree. His bond was set at One-million dollars.

Assistant Director Mortvedt said “On Friday, April 9th at approximately 7:22-p.m., the Grundy Center Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Lang, who fled from the Grundy Center Police and was chased to an area east of town. He pulled over on 250th Avenue exited his vehicle, and assaulted the Grundy Center Police Officer who chased him.

During the assault,” Mortvedt said, “Lang yelled shoot me!,” to the officer, multiple times. “Lang disarmed the officer of his Taser, removed his radio and put the officer in a choke hold. Law enforcement responded to the area of the assault. A Grundy County Deputy arrived on scene and witnessed the Grundy Center Police officer recovering from the assault, and Lang in the area of the officer’s patrol vehicle. The Deputy drew his weapon and gave commands to Lang, to ‘put his hands up.'” Lang refused to comply. Instead, he yelled “Come get me.” He subsequently got into his vehicle and fled the area.

“The Deputy pursued Lang back into Grundy Center,” Mortvedt said, but lost sight of him. The Deputy then went to Lang’s residence located at 305 G Avenue in Grundy Center. He saw Lang’s vehicle parked in the driveway, and Lang entering his residence through the garage. The Deputy requested assistance from other law enforcement officers in the area. Responding [officers] set up a perimeter around the house. Lang’s father arrived at the house,” according to Mortvedt, and informed law enforcement his son had multiple firearms inside the residence, including a .410 shotgun.

At around 8:55-p.m., four additional Iowa State Patrol Troopers and a Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy K9 Unit made entry into the residence, through the door of the garage leading into the residence. “Prior to entering the residence,” Mortvedt said, the entry team verbally identified themselves as law enforcement. They also announced that they would send in a K9. As the entry team began to clear the upstairs of the residence, Sgt. Jim Smith was hit by gunfire coming from inside the residence.”

“After Sgt. was shot, members of the entry teams observed Lang emerge from the doorway holding a black, pump-action shotgun. Two members of the entry team that were with Sgt. Smith, retreated into the basement, while other members of the entry team pulled Sgt. Smith from the residence. Lang then barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to come out. Members of the entry that remained in the basement, stated that Lang made several statements about having shot Sgt. Smith, and expressed the desire to shoot more police officers.”

“Lang remained barricaded inside the residence for several hours,” Mortvedt said. “At approximately 11:50-p.m., and Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team attempted to make entry into the residence with a wheeled, armored personnel carrier (APC). During the entry, Lang shot multiple rounds at the [APC}, and three members of the Tactical Team returned gun fire, striking lane multiple times.” He was then taken into custody by the Tactical Team members. No other injuries were reported.