THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE HAS CONFIRMED THAT DEPUTY KATHERINE FRANK DIED MONDAY AFTER BEING IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING A SHOOTING FRIDAY EVENING IN WESTERN SIOUX FALLS.
THE 26-YEAR-OLD FRANK WAS WOUNDED IN A SHOOTING AT A HOME IN THE 29-HUNDRED BLOCK OF SOUTH KEYRELL DRIVE AROUND 7:30 P.M.
THE SUSPECT, 39-YEAR-OLD BRANDON OETKEN, WAS ALSO SHOT AND HOSPITALIZED WITH INJURIES.
OETKEN HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS EACH OF ATTEMPTED FIRST-DEGREE MURDER ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
KATHERINE FRANK WORKED AT THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE PENITENTIARY FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 UNTIL BEING HIRED BY THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IN JUNE 2024.
THE MINNEHAHA SHERIFF SAYS FRANK WAS SURROUNDED BY HER FAMILY AND LOVED ONES IN HER FINAL MOMENTS AND IN HER FINAL ACT OF SERVICE BECAME AN ORGAN DONOR,
A MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AT THE SIOUX FALLS LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER.
THE UNION COUNTY SHERIFF ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART “OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY AS WE MOURN THE LOSS OF A FELLOW DEPUTY FROM A NEIGHBORING COUNTY. DURING THIS HEARTBREAKING TIME. WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE”.
FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING FUNERAL SERVICES, HONORS, AND DEPARTMENTAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
