Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Fallen Iowa Officers Were Ambushed by Man Firing Rifle

Chief Ross McCarty of the Urbandale PD told the press conference that Officer Martin was attacked while stopped at an intersection. More than 15 shots from a .223 rifle were fired into the car.

November 2, 2016
Fallen Iowa Officers Were Ambushed by Man Firing Rifle

Sgt. Anthony Beminio of the Des Moines Police Department and Officer Justin Martin of the Urbandale (IA) Police Department were killed early Wednesday morning in separate ambushes.

3 min to read



A more detailed picture of how two Des Moines, IA-area law enforcement officers were ambushed and killed in their patrol vehicles Wednesday and how the man suspected of their murders was captured emerged this afternoon during a press conference held by local officials.

Shortly after 1 a.m. officers responded to a shots fired call in Urbandale, IA, a Des Moines suburb. Arriving on the scene they discovered Officer Justin Martin of the Urbandale Police Department had been shot to death inside his car. About two miles away from that scene at approximately 1:26 a.m. Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony Beminio was shot and mortally wounded while responding to the scene of the Martin shooting. He died at a local hospital. Neither officer had a chance to respond to the attacks.

Ad Loading...

Chief Ross McCarty of the Urbandale PD told the press conference that Officer Martin was attacked while stopped at an intersection. More than 15 shots from a .223 rifle were fired into the car from the side. Sgt. Beminio was probably killed in the same manner, as he was also ambushed in his patrol vehicle.

Investigators at the scene identified Scott Michael Greene as a suspect in the shooting. Sgt. Paul Parizek, public information officer for the Des Moines PD, said Greene was known to local law enforcement and that evidence at the scene "pointed in his direction."

After Greene was identified as a suspect, he turned himself in to the authorities without resistance. Reports say Greene flagged down an Iowa Department of Natural Resources officer on a rural road near Interstate 80 and surrendered. He was taken into custody by Dallas County Sheriff's deputies and Iowa State Patrol troopers. No guns were recovered during the arrest. Authorities say they are still searching for the murder weapons.

Because the suspect was experiencing medical distress from an existing health condition, he was taken to a local hospital where he was being held this afternoon. Parizek said Greene will likely be arraigned tomorrow morning.

Greene, an Urbandale resident, has a history of confrontational issues with neighbors and police. He was charged in 2014 with a simple misdemeanor count of interference with official acts when he resisted officers attempting a pat down search. Also in 2014, Greene was accused of harassing a man in an apartment parking lot. Greene, a resident of the same apartment complex, reportedly called the man the N-word and threatened to kill him. He pleaded guilty to a harassment charge and was sentenced to one year of probation.

Ad Loading...

Two weeks ago police say Greene took a Confederate flag to an Urbandale High School football game and waved it at "people of color" during the playing of the national anthem. Police were alerted and Greene was issued a trespass warning and told to leave. He reportedly posted a YouTube video of the incident in which he ranted against the police for violating his First Amendment rights.

Des Moines PD spokesman Sgt. Parizek said it's believed the attacks were carried out by a single suspect, and the capture of the suspect brought "a great sense of relief for the community and officers."

Officer Justin Martin was hired by the Urbandale PD in 2015. He was just off probation when he was killed. "We had high expectations for his future," Chief McCarty said. "This is a tragedy."

Sgt. Anthony Beminio was a 15-year veteran of the Des Moines PD. He was married with children, and had served as a school resource officer and a robbery homicide detective, among other duties. He had been recently promoted to sergeant.

Both Parizek and McCarty said their agencies are reeling from the loss of the two officers. They praised peer support officers for their work in helping fellow officers cope with grief.

Ad Loading...

McCarty said during the press conference he had never lost an officer before from any agency during his service. "I was hoping to finish my career without going through this," he said.--David Griffith

More Patrol

Security officer wearing an earpiece uses a handheld two-way radio at an outdoor event, with PositionPTT push-to-talk radio accessories and earpiece shown alongside for professional communications.
PatrolJuly 28, 2026

PositionPTT & Pryme Combine Communication Technologies to Deliver Distracted Driving Compliance

Pryme Radio Accessories and hardware/software maker PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free communications and ensure Department of Transportation compliance using an integrated system of push-to-talk platforms, devices, and audio equipment.

Read More →
Graphic announcing $25 million in law enforcement grants and resources over a photo of the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., with large blue-and-white headline text overlaying the building.
PatrolJuly 23, 2026

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips YouTube thumbnail asking, “What qualifies a device as rugged or fully rugged?” featuring a Panasonic Toughbook laptop on a dark street background.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 23, 2026

What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?

What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Leadership update graphic featuring Team Wendy President Vasilios Brachos standing in front of a display of protective helmets, with POLICE Law Enforcement Solutions branding and text announcing his appointment as company president.
PatrolJuly 22, 2026

Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President

Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.

Read More →
BRINC fundraising announcement graphic featuring a response drone in flight, highlighting a $125 million funding round to expand 911 response drones for police and fire stations, led by Motorola Solutions Ventures with additional investors.
PatrolJuly 16, 2026

Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →