South Dakota Deputy Dies After Being Shot During Confrontation

Minnehaha County Deputy Katherine Frank, 26, died Monday, three days after being critically wounded in a shooting incident at a Sioux Falls home. The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office announced her death, stating she died surrounded by family and loved ones.

Frank was shot Friday night when gunfire erupted about 30 minutes after deputies arrived at the residence. She and a suspect were treated at the scene before being transported to local hospitals. Frank had been in critical condition since the incident.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Brandon John Oetken of Sioux Falls, has been charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Jail records also list a felony charge of disarming a law enforcement officer against Oetken, who remained in custody without bond.

"Deputy Frank's death is a significant loss to our agency and to the broader law enforcement community in and around Sioux Falls," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "She served the citizens of Minnehaha County with professionalism, humility, and dedication. Her absence will be felt deeply by all who have had the privilege of working alongside her."

Frank joined the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office in June 2024, having previously worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary since September 2022. In her final act, Frank became an organ donor, continuing to help others after her death, according to the sheriff's office.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation into the shooting at the request of the sheriff's office. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley paid tribute to Frank, stating, "We mourn the loss of Minnehaha County Sheriff's Deputy Katherine Frank who sacrificed everything in the line of duty to keep us safe. Let us never forget her courage and the service of all of our law enforcement officers. Deputy Frank and her family remain in our prayers."

The shooting marks the fifth involving law enforcement officers in South Dakota this year, according to the attorney general's office. Jackley previously indicated that a public report on the use of force during the encounter was expected within 30 days.