Officer Bryant was struck and killed by a vehicle while officially representing the Iowa Department of Corrections during the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Officer Bryant and other participants were running on U.S. Highway 61 just north of Fort Madison. An Iowa State Patrol vehicle was providing an escort and driving slowly directly behind the runners.

A driver approached the group from the rear and did not realize that the patrol car was driving at such a low speed. The elderly driver entered the shoulder of the highway, passed the patrol car, and then re-entered the roadway. Officer Bryant, seeing the car approaching, pushed another correctional officer out of the way a split second before being struck, saving the officer’s life.

Officer Bryant served at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa. He had served with the agency for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.