Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels, Turner County Sheriff's Department, SD

[jlee]

🙁

Deputy Chad Mechels was shot and killed while performing a well-being visit.

Deputy Mechels responded to a farmhouse west of Marion, South Dakota, to check on the well-being of an individual. After arriving, he was shot. He was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where he died from his injuries.

The suspect, a 19-year-old male, called 911 to report 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. He was charged with first degree murder.

Deputy Mechels had served with the Turner County Sheriff's Department for five months. He had previously served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department and Kingsbury County Sheriff's Department, for a total of five years of law enforcement experience.

Deputy Mechels is survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

Text

 

[JDub02]

sad. 🙁

 

[rudeguy]

🙁

EDIT:
As much trouble as I have been in with the law, I have always respected cops. We give them a hard time for doing their job, but their job is to risk their lives for us.

:beer: to all cops

 

[rivan]

 

[TwiceOver]

Yup, this has been all over our news (not many people are killed in SD, very few cops). The kid snapped and called 911 to say he was going to kill himself and when the sheriff showed up he shot at the cruiser.

 

[FallenHero]

The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."

 

[SmoochyTX]

🙁