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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
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Dakota Department of Corrections has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Eugene is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eugene is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 1 officer in SD was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eugene was 72. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37.
Eugene was 72. 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.
Eugene was 72. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 10.8% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Fridays: 10.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at South Dakota Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 29.7% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
South Dakota Department of Corrections has 4 officers remembered here, Eugene among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from South Dakota Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
