Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden Eugene Reiley was shot and killed after being taken hostage during a prison escape from the South Dakota State Prison in Sioux Falls. An inmate's brother smuggled two guns into the prison and broke the brother and another inmate out. Before fleeing the prison the suspects raided the armory, stole several guns and took Warden Reiley hostage. They were intercepted by other officers several miles from the prison and in the exchange of gunfire one of the inmates and Warden Reiley were killed. A second inmate and a police officer were also wounded.
Survivors
Warden Reiley was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-C4C62F8F- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Warden Reiley served with the South Dakota Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Warden Reiley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden Eugene Reiley is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 58.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At South Dakota Department of Corrections, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eugene Reiley's cause is highlighted.
How Eugene Reiley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eugene Reiley is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eugene Reiley was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from South Dakota Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
