(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa State Patrol Troopers, Monday (Today), paid their respects to two of their own who died in a plane crash near Atlantic, 36-years ago. Trooper Pilot Lance Dietsch (Badge #142), and Trooper Stanley Gerling (Badge #190), died June 30, 1989, while on an aerial search mission to find a missing person who had wandered away from a local nursing home.

Trooper Pilot Dietsch was 30 years old when he died. He had been with the Patrol for six years. He was engaged to be married in just over a month, on August 11, 1989.

Trooper Gerling was married and had served as a coach for Atlantic Little League. He was34 years old when he died, had been with the Patrol for one year. He left behind his wife and two sons. (Photos via the Iowa State Patrol Facebook page)