November 18, 2025
BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa - On November 16, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., members of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and several other local law enforcement agencies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 47-year-old Waterloo resident Benjamin Sink. Sink was wanted on several charges related to a domestic relationship.
Sink refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, Sink’s vehicle was disabled utilizing stop sticks, and Sink’s vehicle came to stop on the side of the road. Sink exited his vehicle, produced a firearm, and fired at officers. Deputies with the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and a Trooper with the Iowa State Patrol returned fire, striking Sink. Officers performed lifesaving measures on Sink at the scene. Sink was transported to Mercy One Hospital in Waterloo for treatment but later was pronounced deceased.
The officers involved were uninjured and placed on critical incident leave in accordance with their department policies. Agencies involved in the response to this incident included the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office, the Hudson Police Department, the Waterloo Police Department, the Cedar Falls Police Department, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
At the request of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is conducting the investigation into the shooting. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be forwarded to the Black Hawk County Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Iowa Attorney General for review. Further details will be released at the time the review is released.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Iowa Department of Public Safety
215 E 7th St
Des Moines IA 50319
https://dps.iowa.gov