A benefit bike ride is planned for next month to raise money for the family of an Iowa law officer who was killed in the line of duty last fall. Rockwell City police officer Jamie Buenting was fatally shot by a gunman during a standoff in Rockwell City on September 13th.

Lieutenant Kelly Hindman, district commander for the Iowa State Patrol in Fort Dodge, says the ride will remember Buenting. “It was certainly not something we’re thankfully accustomed to in this area, but we also intend to make this a celebration,” Hindman says. “We don’t want it to be too somber of an event. We certainly want to remember what happened but more importantly, we want to remember who Jaime was.”

A group called Tour de Force New York, which raises money for the families of fallen law officers, is helping to organize the ride and will be sending officer-members from the East Coast to Iowa to participate. “So far, there’s 12 that are committed to come in,” Hindman says. “They come in at their own expense and they come from seven different states, they’re not local. They’re from around the country and come here, just bringing their bicycles along and want to share in a fun day with area law enforcement officers.”

Anyone is welcome to sign on for the 47-mile ride, which will start in Webster City the morning of April 28th, passing through towns including Duncombe, Fort Dodge and Moorland before reaching Rockwell City. A check presentation is planned in Rockwell City with Officer Buenting’s family. The ride has a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/693520547378660

(Reporting by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)