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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
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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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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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chad is the only officer of Turner County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Chad is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Chad is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chad is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 1 officer in SD was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 2009, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2009, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chad was 33. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Chad had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Chad was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Chad had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chad was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Chad had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.8% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Sundays: 10.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Turner County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Turner County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.