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Incident
Trooper Oren Hindman was stabbed to death by a suspect he had placed in his patrol car on Interstate 90, about a half mile from the Jackson Boulevard interchange in Spearfish. Trooper Hindman had arrested a woman for DUI near Spearfish and provided her boyfriend a ride around 11:30 p.m. During the trip, the woman's boyfriend stabbed Trooper Hindman in the throat from the backseat of the patrol car. Both subjects then fled on foot. Trooper Hindman drove himself to the hospital but died before surgeons arrived. The subject who stabbed him pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He died in prison. Trooper Hindman was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the South Dakota Highway Patrol for 6-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Oren is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Hindman gave the South Dakota Highway Patrol 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Oren Stuart Hindman served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Dakota Highway Patrol has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Oren is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Oren is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Oren is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 2 officers in SD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1985, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1985, 125 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oren was 30. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Oren had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Oren was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Oren had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oren was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oren had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 5.4% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Thursdays: 18.9%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at South Dakota Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 8.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
South Dakota Highway Patrol has 5 officers remembered here, Oren among them.
Where
Military Service
Oren Stuart Hindman served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Oren Stuart Hindman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from South Dakota Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
