James Hildreth

James R. Hildreth, 68, born December 19, 1944 and died December 20, 2012.
Jim always wanted to become a police officer. He believed in the American dream: work hard, do your best, take care of family, give a person an even break, believe in God, and things will always work out right in the end. He lived by that philosophy.
Jim married Mary Jane Benson in 1963 in Los Angeles CA. They were married for 49 years and had three sons Jim, Mike and Vic. Jim loved his wife and sons very much. He was very proud of them and told them so often. He loved to tease, joke around with his fellow officers, and had a nickname for just about everyone he knew. He was the best.
Jim started working at the age of 13 at J and E Draperies in California. Still in his teens, he became a heavy equipment operator in Iowa City and helped build the Red Rock Dam near Pella, Iowa. He worked eight years for Hulsizer’s in Ankeny but his greatest ambition was to become a police officer.
Jim received two citations from Polk County Sheriff’s office during his six years of service as a Polk County Special Deputy. He was Chief of Security for Des Moines Area Community College where he got his degree in Law Enforcement. Jim graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. His first police officer’s job was in Colfax, Iowa and the second was in Indianola, Iowa. In 2000, after 27 years of service as an Indianola Police Officer, and Indianola’s first Firearms Instructor, Jim retired.
Jim was an outstanding police officer, “the last of the small town good guys“, and “one of Indianola‘s finest“. He touched so many lives. He helped the young, the old, and those in need. He knew what it was like to need a second chance. He believed and cared enough in people to give second chances especially to teenagers.
Jim pulled a woman from her burning home. He confronted a distraught person on the brink of suicide and talked them back, at risk of his own life. He started Indianola’s first drug program. Jim stopped the open sell of drugs on the square, and curtailed drug sales around Indianola. He brought money to the City of Indianola in the form of a van and other items confiscated in drug busts. He was Indianola’s first Motorcycle Police Officer. He built the first portable speed detector. He helped maintained police vehicles. As firearms instructor, he built, maintained, and set up Indianola’s first shooting range for law enforcement officers. In honor of his great accomplishments, the city of Indianola awarded Jim with “Employee of the Year”. The important things in his life were, how he loved; deeply, how many lives he touched in positive ways; many, and the good deeds he did without recognition, or praise; daily. He dedicated his life, working to make this world a better place. He was the best. He was and always will be, loved dearly, treasured greatly, and sorely missed.
Jim was preceded in death by his, Stepfather and mother, Keith and Helen (Reynolds, Hildreth) Young of Indianola, IA; Father, Irving Hildreth of Torrance, CA; Brothers, Irving Hildreth II of Torrance, CA and Richard Hildreth of West Des Moines, IA; Sister, Janet and husbands, (Vic) Anderson and (Jim) Elmore of Des Moines, IA; Grandson, Noah Hildreth of Indianola, IA; Mother-in-Law, Katherine Benson of Norwalk, IA and Brother-in-Law, Edward Benson Jr. of Woodridge, VA.
Jim is survived by his Brother-in-Law and Sister, Frederick and Linda (Hildreth, Ecker, Young) Benson of Indianola, IA; Sisters-in-Law, Margaret (Solzman) Benson of Woodbridge,VA, Elaine (Anderson) Hildreth of CA and Nola (Gerstenberger) Hildreth of Chariton, IA; Father in Law and wife, Edward and Cheryl (Olson) Benson of Norwalk, IA; Wife, Mary Jane (Benson) Hildreth of Indianola, IA; Sons and grandchildren, James and Jennifer (Fuller) Hildreth II of Milo, IA and their children, James III and Jenna, Michael and Darla (Cook) Hildreth of Palmyra, IA and their children, Wyatt, Liam, Landon, and Nathan and Victor and Heather (Bjork) Hildreth of Berwick, IA and their children, Chad, Cadence, and Riley.
Jim was cremated. His memorial will be held in the spring. Memorial information will be available on this site at a later date, or you can contact Mary Jane Hildreth @ 515-770-7541.

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