Meade County Sheriff's Office

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Sturgis, SD
Meade County Sheriff's Office

Meade County Sheriff's Office, Sturgis, South Dakota. The three divisions are Law Enforcement, Corrections (Jail), and Communications (Dispatch). SDCL 23-14-18.

The Meade County Sheriff's Office oversees three distinct divisions as well as several layers within those divisions. State law details the many duties of a sheriff, but utmost is the sheriff shall keep and preserve the peace within his county, and he is empowered to call to his aid such persons or power of his county as he may deem necessary. He must pursue and apprehend all felons; and must exec

ute all writs, warrants, and other processes from an court or magistrate which shall be directed to him by legal authority. It shall be the duty of the sheriff to comply with all orders of the attorney general or his agents and at all times, whether on duty under the call of the attorney general or his agents or not, to see to it as far as may be possible that all the laws of this state and especially all laws relating to alcoholic beverages are faithfully executed and enforced. The sheriff shall furnish to the attorney general or his agents from time to time any information regarding conditions in his county that may be required; and it is his duty to inform himself of all violations of the state criminal laws, notify the state's attorney to file criminal complaints or preliminary information, and to arrest and assist in the prosecution of persons charged. Deaths to be investigated by coroner. The county coroner shall investigate any human death if a determination of the cause and manner of death is in the public interest. Nothing in the provisions of this section, § 23-14-9.1, 23-14-19, 23-14-20, 34-26-2, 34-26-5, or 34-26-14 supersedes the obligation of any county sheriff to pursue and apprehend all felons pursuant to § 7-12-1. Deaths which are in the public interest, without limitation, are:
(1) All deaths by unnatural means or if there is a suspicion of unnatural means, including all deaths of accidental, homicidal, suicidal, and undetermined manner, regardless of suspected criminal involvement in the death;
(2) All deaths where the identity of the victim is unknown or the body is unclaimed;
(3) All deaths of inmates of any state, county, or municipally operated correctional facility, mental institution, or special school;
(4) All deaths believed to represent a public health hazard;
(5) At the discretion of the coroner, all deaths of children under two years of age resulting from an unknown cause or if the circumstances surrounding the death indicate that sudden infant death syndrome may be the cause of death; and
(6) All natural deaths if the decedent is not under the care of a physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner or if the decedent's physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner does not feel qualified to sign the death certificate. However, the lack of an attending physician may not be construed to require an investigation or autopsy solely because the decedent was under treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination. Source: SL 1985, ch 191, § 1; SL 1990, ch 170, § 2; SL 1991, ch 198, § 1.

06/22/2026

06.22.2026
Meade County South Dakota

This past Friday, we had the privilege of celebrating the retirement of one of the very best.

For many, Cheryl Cross was known as the longtime Meade County 4-H Advisor- a role she loved and excelled at for many years. Cheryl helped shape the lives of countless young people, providing guidance, encouragement, and support that left a lasting impact on generations of 4-H members.

Later in her career, Cheryl brought her talents and dedication to the Meade County Sheriff's Office. While it may not have been the same passion she found in 4-H, she approached the position with the same professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to serving others that defined her entire career.

In a time when many people change jobs every few years, Cheryl devoted an incredible 45 years of service to the citizens of Meade County. Her legacy can be seen not only in the programs she helped build, but in the people whose lives she touched along the way.

On June 19th, Cheryl officially retired, bringing to a close an extraordinary career of public service. While we are excited for her to enjoy this well-earned next chapter, her knowledge, experience, and presence will certainly be missed. Thankfully, we still have her phone number—because we're pretty sure there will be a few questions that only Cheryl can answer!

Thank you, Cheryl, for your 45 years of dedication, service, and commitment to Meade County. We wish you nothing but happiness, good health, and many adventures in retirement.

Congratulations on a career well done! Enjoy the time with the grandkids!

06/12/2026

06.12.2026
Meade County South Dakota

Today was a great day for the team at the Meade County Communications Center!

Congratulations to Amity Wilde and Addison Besler on successfully completing the 81st 911 Telecommunicator Certification Course in Pierre. This intensive two-week program provides comprehensive training in the handling of 911 calls and equips telecommunicators with the critical skills needed to effectively guide callers through emergencies and provide lifesaving assistance when it matters most.

To recognize this accomplishment, Sheriff Pat West and 911 Supervisor Thomas Reese traveled to Pierre to personally congratulate Amity and Addison on their achievement and dedication to public safety.

The Meade County Sheriff's Office is proud of their hard work, commitment, and professionalism. We look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make serving the citizens of Meade County.

Congratulations, Amity and Addison, on a job well done!

06/10/2026

06.10.2026
Meade County South Dakota

Last year, we had this interesting story from the files of "Can't Make This Up", and we thought it was likely a once and done kind of thing. Running out of gas while running from the law is not something we see a great deal of...

Well, yesterday afternoon if you happened to be in the Boulder Canyon area, you may have seen a grey Hyundai headed towards Deadwood with a trail of lights and sirens following... It wasn't a fast pursuit, but clearly the driver was desperate to get to the roulette table and put everything they have on black...

Well, they didn't make it to Deadwood. In fact the Hyundai slowed, and eventually came to complete stop.

Why? Well, once again, if you beat us to "E" you are going to go to jail...

DUI and Eluding are never a great combination, and if everyone would just obey the rules and laws, we would greatly appreciate it. Until then, know the MCSO will continue to enforce, and if needed, chase offenders in an effort to hold people accountable for their choices.

08.01.2025
Meade County South Dakota

The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is officially here, and the excitement is revving up! You might have already noticed the roar of engines and the burst of scooters zooming around. It is that time of year!

This morning around 7:00 am, things got a little wild on I-90 in the Piedmont/Summerset area. Imagine the scene: a young not so bright daredevil on a sport bike decided to turn a police chase into his personal parade, zooming away from flashing red and blue lights with zero regard for anyone's safety.

He took law enforcement on an unexpected sightseeing tour, checking out the sights of Black Hawk, Summerset, and Piedmont. Eventually, his adrenaline rush ran out of steam, (he ran out of gas) and he was taken into custody. Kudos to the SD Highway Patrol for handling the situation!

**DISCLAIMER For those new here to the Meade County Page, and we have a lot of new followers, please know—many of our posts are a fun, light-hearted way to keep everyone informed about what’s happening around Meade County, especially when you see those flashing “po-po” cars blazing by with sirens blaring! We find we get much more community interaction when we try to inject a little humor.

We fully understand and respect the dangerous conditions that are present when making decisions on chasing people. Our goal is and always will be to end each encounter in a safe manner. We are truly doing our best!

And hey, folks—it's only DAY ONE of the Rally! Buckle up and enjoy the wild ride!

THE RIDE, THE ROAR, THE RALLY!

06/08/2026

06.08.2026
Meade County South Dakota

An important update from our partners at Western Construction! Please be advised of the traffic changes!

As part of the North Haines Avenue Roadway Improvements Project, the contractor will soon begin the cement stabilized subgrade phase of construction. This work requires a
change to the current traffic control configuration to safely and efficiently complete the roadway reconstruction.

Beginning on 6/15/2026, traffic through the construction zone will be restricted to NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ONLY.

Key information:
• Access through the project will be limited to local traffic only.
• Only local northbound travel will be permitted within the construction area.
• Southbound traffic will not be allowed through the work zone during and outside of work
hours and motorists will need to use alternate routes. See attached figure for possible
alternate routes to consider.
• Residents, property owners, mail delivery, school transportation, emergency services, and
other local traffic will continue to have access to properties within the project limits.
• Construction activities may periodically cause delays while equipment is operating or materials are being placed.
• During reconstruction of the west half of the roadway, motorists should expect longer delays at intersections and access points as traffic is routed through active construction areas and crews complete cement stabilization operations.
• Please reduce speeds, follow all posted traffic control devices, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

The cement stabilization process is a critical part of the roadway reconstruction and will
help provide a stronger, longer-lasting roadway for the community.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during construction. Every effort will be made to maintain reasonable access while completing the work safely and efficiently.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to improve North Haines Avenue.

Meade County Sheriff's Office

06/03/2026

06.03.2026
Meade County South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meade County Sheriff's Office
June 3, 2026
Body of Missing Black Hawk Man Located

MEADE COUNTY, SD — On June 3, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., search crews located the body of Jonah Temple, a 23-year-old resident of Black Hawk, South Dakota.

Following an extensive three-day search involving numerous agencies and volunteers, Mr. Temple was positively identified. Preliminary findings indicate Temple died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation remains ongoing, and final determinations will be made by the appropriate authorities.

The Meade County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Temple's family and loved ones during this difficult time.
The search effort brought together an extraordinary number of public safety professionals and community volunteers from across the Black Hills region. Their dedication, professionalism, and willingness to assist were instrumental throughout the operation.

"The efforts demonstrated over the past three days are a testament to the spirit of service and cooperation that we rely upon throughout the Black Hills," said Sheriff Pat West. "This search effort and the eventual recovery of Mr. Temple would not have been possible without the countless hours contributed by our partner agencies and volunteers. We are sincerely grateful for their commitment and support."

The Meade County Sheriff's Office would like to recognize and thank the following agencies and organizations for their assistance:
Black Hawk Fire Department
Pennington County Search and Rescue
United States Forest Service
Pennington County Sheriff's Office
Custer County Search and Rescue
Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department
Whispering Pines Volunteer Fire Department
Johnson Siding Volunteer Fire Department
Wasta Volunteer Fire Department
North Haines Volunteer Fire Department
Doty Volunteer Fire Department
Additional personnel and resources from Custer, Fairburn, New Underwood, Hermosa, and surrounding communities.

The Meade County Sheriff's Office appreciates the overwhelming support shown by the community and asks that the privacy of the Temple family be respected as they grieve their loss.

This tragedy also serves as a reminder that mental health challenges and depression affect individuals and families throughout our communities. Help is available, and no one should feel they must face these struggles alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a trusted family member, friend, mental health professional, or call or text 988 to contact the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Seeking help is a sign of strength, and support is available 24 hours a day.

06/01/2026

06.01.2026
Meade County South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Meade County Sheriff's Office
June 1, 2026

UPDATE at 8:20pm

The search efforts this evening have been discontinued. We are asking for everyone stay away from the area overnight.

Search efforts will continue in the morning on 06.02.2026 with additional resources.

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Search Underway for Missing Black Hawk Man

MEADE COUNTY, S.D. — On June 1, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the Meade County Sheriff's Office received a report of a missing person. Jonah Temple, 23, of Black Hawk, South Dakota, had not been in contact with family members for approximately three days.

During the initial investigation, Temple's vehicle was located on U.S. Forest Service property at the far west end of Peaceful Pines Road. An extensive search operation has since been initiated in the area where the vehicle was discovered.

The Meade County Sheriff's Office is being assisted by multiple partner agencies and organizations. Black Hills Life Flight has generously offered aerial support and will be conducting flyovers in the search area.

Anyone who has had contact with Jonah Temple or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the Meade County Sheriff's Office at 605-347-2681.

At this time, investigators do not believe there is any threat to public safety. However, members of the public are asked to avoid the search area to allow emergency personnel and search teams to conduct operations safely and efficiently.

Agencies currently assisting in the search include:
South Dakota Highway Patrol
U.S. Forest Service
Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department
Pennington County Search and Rescue
Pennington County Sheriff's Office

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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05/28/2026

05.28.2026
Meade County South Dakota

BIG NEWS FROM YOUR 9-1-1 CENTER!

The Meade County Communications Center is going live with the Priority Dispatch ProQA system for emergency medical calls!

What does that mean for you?

When you call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency, our dispatchers will use an internationally recognized system designed to help us:
✅ Ask the right questions quickly
✅ Send the appropriate help faster
✅ Provide important pre-arrival instructions before responders arrive
✅ Better support callers during stressful emergencies

You may notice dispatchers asking more detailed questions than before — even when help is already on the way. These questions are not delaying response; they help us make sure patients get the best possible care from the very start while the ambulance or other responders are already getting on the road.

Our dispatchers are trained professionals, and ProQA gives them another powerful tool to help save lives every day.

Thank you for trusting us to serve our community.

05/27/2026

05.27.2026
Meade County South Dakota

Hey Meade County!

For some reason and some how, I know this is going to be our fault....

We asked you to find alternate routes around the construction on Haines Ave, and most of you have.

So, maybe we should have clarified when we asked.

Please use alternate routes and avoid the construction zone on Haines Ave, and.....

In your effort to avoid the construction, please do not choose to drive 94 mph on Elk Vale... That's not a sensible or smart alternative.

What else did we miss? Oh yeah... Wear your seatbelt!!!

Please slow down and wear your seatbelt!

Thank you for your cooperation!

South Dakota Department of Public Safety

05/23/2026

05.23.2026
Meade County South Dakota

Address

1400 Main Street
Sturgis, SD
57785

Telephone

+16053472681

Website

http://www.meadecounty.org/sheriffs-office/

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