Lieutenant Ivan Hayes was born and raised in Strafford, NH. In 1928 he graduated from the Austin Cate Academy, the Institute of Applied Sciences and the Harvard University Medical Legal School. He married Louise MacAllister of Lancaster, NH on September 4, 1941. Lt. Hayes went on to earn a law degree from LaSalle Extension University a year before his death.

A member of the New Hampshire State Police since its inception, Lt. Hayes previously worked with the Attorney General's Office. In addition to being a fingerprint expert with the State Police, Lt. Hayes was a member of several local and national law enforcement associations. He also served as a member of various community organizations in and around Strafford.

On July 18, 1959, Lt. Hayes learned of a vehicle that was being driven wildly around the town of Strafford. He volunteered to help locate the vehicle as the trooper working that area was busy elsewhere. Approximately three hours later, a citizen discovered Lt. Hayes comatose in his cruiser along the side of the road. When another trooper arrived on the scene, it was learned that Lt. Hayes had died of a heart attack.