Sioux City Police Department, Iowa
End of Watch: Saturday, July 18, 1953
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: July 18, 1953
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Sylvan Dykstra was accidentally shot and killed by another officer at the department's booking window at 6th and Water Streets.
The officers were standing on opposite sides of the window discussing a case when the other officer's weapon discharged. The round struck Patrolman Dykstra in the head, killing him.
Patrolman Dykstra, a WWII U.S. Marine Corps veteran, had served with the Sioux City Police Department for 5 years. He is survived by his wife and child.