Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels was shot and killed while performing a welfare check at a farmhouse west of Marion at about 9:00 am.
He was shot by the man whom he was attempting to check on at 27477 442nd Avenue. The man called 911 to report that he had shot Deputy Mechels and then fled the scene. He was taken into custody later in the day when he turned himself in at the Minnehaha County Law Enforcement Center.
Deputy Mecheles was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where he died from his injuries.
On November 18th, 2010, the suspect pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Mechels had served with the Turner County Sheriff's Office for five months. He had previously served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office and Kingsbury County Sheriff's Office for a total of five years of law enforcement experience.
Deputy Mechels is survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son, parents, and two sisters.
Survivors
Deputy Mechels is survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter, 3-year-old son, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-B8E10F86- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Mechels gave the Turner County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Parker community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Mechels.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Chad Lee Mechels is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 3.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Chad Lee Mechels's cause is highlighted.
How Chad Lee Mechels Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Chad Lee Mechels is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Chad Lee Mechels was killed by gun; unknown type.