Injuries from October 14 accident claim life of local State Trooper; Community and state honor his service

Injuries sustained by Iowa State Patrol Trooper and Waukon native Ted Benda in a single-vehicle accident Thursday evening, October 14 in Allamakee County have now claimed his life as of Wednesday, October 20, according to an announcement made by the Iowa State Patrol. The Public Information Office with the Iowa State Patrol released the following statement regarding Trooper Benda’s passing:

“The men and women of the Iowa State Patrol and Department of Public Safety are heartbroken to announce the loss of one of our own, Trooper Ted Benda ISP #313. Trooper Benda, age 37, was involved in a single-vehicle crash Thursday, October 14 (around 11:30 p.m.) while en route to assist the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office with a wanted suspect. He succumbed to his injuries today, October 20, 2021.

“Trooper Benda is not only a valuable part of the Department of Public Safety, but was more importantly a loving husband, father, son and brother. Trooper Benda leaves behind his wife, Holly, and their four young children along with many family, friends and colleagues. Please keep the Benda family in your thoughts and prayers as they face this unimaginable loss. Rest in Peace, Trooper Benda... we have your 6 from here.”

An initial release from the Iowa State Patrol reported Trooper Benda was traveling on Highway 51, approximately six miles north of Postville when his vehicle left the roadway October 14. The Public Information Office with the Iowa State Patrol says the accident continues to remain under investigation by the department’s Technical Collision Investigation Unit, and the Iowa State Patrol will provide additional updates as they become available. That office further shared that such investigations could take several weeks or up to several months to complete, depending upon the type and amount of information involved in the investigation.

Leaders of local law enforcement agencies that not only worked with Benda in their law enforcement mission but also personally knew him and members of his family shared their sentiments upon the announcement of his passing.

“The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Iowa State Trooper Ted Benda,” Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick shared on behalf of his department. “Trooper Benda was a dedicated officer always willing to respond to the call for service, providing assistance to local agencies in times of need.

“Ted was a friend and brother to the men and women of the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office. We will dearly miss the times we had with Ted, from being there beside us on scene through the difficult times, to the visits at the Sheriff’s Office to share stories, laughs and his delicious jerky recipes.

“Rest in peace, Trooper Benda, you will be in our hearts and prayers forever.

“God Bless, Your brothers and sisters at the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office.”

Likewise, Waukon Chief of Police Paul Wagner shared the following on behalf of his department:

“The Waukon Police Department would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the Benda family, friends and fellow troopers of fallen Trooper Ted Benda. Trooper Benda has assisted our agency numerous times over the years. He will be sorely missed as a fellow officer and, more importantly, as a friend.”

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also released a statement in response to Trooper Benda’s passing, “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ted Benda. Kevin and I join with Iowans in mourning the loss of this dedicated servant and we keep his family, friends and fellow brothers and sisters in uniform in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with this devastating loss. Tragic events like this are a somber reminder of how precious life is and of the unwavering, selfless sacrifice our brave men and women in law enforcement make every day.”

Gov. Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, October 27, from sunrise to sunset in honor and remembrance of Trooper Benda. Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

Following Trooper Benda’s passing at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, WI Wednesday, October 20, his body was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny in accordance with protocol measures. His body was then transported back to Martin-Grau Funeral Home in his hometown of Waukon Friday, October 22, traveling north from Ankeny up Interstate 35 and then east on State Highway 9, with various locations along that route honoring Benda and his service with displays of signs, flags and gatherings of individuals.

As the procession of Iowa State Patrol and other Iowa Department of Public Safety vehicles escorting Benda from Ankeny traveled through northeast Iowa and closer to his hometown, those gatherings and displays grew and became more personal. The processional route proceeded into Waukon along combined State Highways 9 and 76 - collecting other local law enforcement and emergency response vehicles along its path - and entered town on Rossville Road, where hundreds of individuals lined the route with more flags, signs and hands or hats held over their hearts.

That procession continued to the stoplight intersection in Waukon, where members of the Waukon Fire Department stood at attention with a salute as the procession passed by. The same honor was bestowed by local law enforcement and other City of Waukon and Allamakee County officials as the procession traveled up Allamakee Street past Waukon City Hall and the Allamakee County Courthouse to its final destination of the Martin-Grau Funeral Home, where a brief memorial service was held with family, friends and fellow Iowa State Patrol officials gathered.

Benda’s funeral is being held at the Waukon High School Wednesday, October 27 at 11 a.m. The Iowa State Patrol reports that KCRG television station will have a live feed of the funeral service, including on their website (https://www.kcrg.com/) and YouTube (https://youtu.be/bZAttLeY3TU).

A full obituary can be found on Page 5 in the Wednesday, October 27, 2021 edition of The Standard. A photo collage from Trooper Benda’s Friday, October 22 processional return to his hometown of Waukon can be found on Pages 18 and 19 of that same newspaper.