On-Duty Iowa Deputy Killed in Collision with Combine

An on-duty Iowa sheriff's deputy was killed Tuesday in a rollover crash following a collision with a piece of farm equipment that was traveling on the highway

Fremont County Sheriff's Deputy Austin "Melvin" Richardson was traveling north on Highway 275 in an agency vehicle shortly before 12:40 p.m., KETV-TV reports. A harvesting combine was heading south, and its tires were larger than the width of the highway lane.

The combine's left front dual tire was jutting "left of center in the northbound lane," and Richardson's vehicle struck it, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The collision sent Richardson into a sideways skid, and the vehicle rolled over several times.

Richardson had been with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office for seven years, and he had been a law enforcement for over 15 years. Before working with the Fremont County agency, Richardson was a member of the Sidney and Auburn police departments. He is survived by a wife and three children.

The crash is under investigation. A vehicle display outside the sheriff's office has been set up to allow the public to leave cards and mementos for the family, according to the agency.