February 5, 2025:
2024 was another busy year for the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Deputies in the field division responded to more than 3,200 calls for service in the county last year, down slightly from 2023. While overall call volume was down, the severity of crimes Deputies handled was up for the year.
According to Sheriff Patrick Callahan, mental health and substance abuse related calls continue to be a priority for his office.
The number of mental health and welfare checks were up as were offenses such as harassment from 2023.
Traffic complaints in the county were up slightly as well as the number of injury auto crashes. Sheriff’s Deputies logged an increase in patrols throughout all areas of the county in 2024.
Chief Deputy Dustin Drew leads a field division of five Deputy Sheriffs who patrol the 801 square miles of Hughes County. The field division had an annual budget of $999,494.25 for 2024.
2024 jail revenues were $3,870,441.45 on the adult side, generating an average of $322,536.78 per month. The jail housed an average of 156 inmates per day, of which an average of 45 inmates were being held for Hughes County.
In all, more than 45,000 in-custody days were logged at the Hughes County Jail.
The Hughes County Jail is administered by Capt. Gerald Wasko and Lt. Jared Hall who oversee a staff of 38 Detention Deputies and an annual budget of $4,306,948.00 for 2024.
The Juvenile Services Center generated $730,193.37 in revenues while safely housing juveniles from all over central South Dakota.
“Our JSC is one of the best in the state, and the people who staff it are incredible,” said Sheriff Callahan.
The JSC is administered by Lt. Chad Seidel and has an annual budget of $875,942.00 for 2024.
From the administrative side, Sheriff’s staff served more than 2,225 civil papers, issued 237 concealed carry pistol permits, and spent more time protecting and serving the courts, judges, and the Hughes County Courthouse than ever before.
“I’m very proud of the work of our entire staff and know that they are completely focused on serving the people of Hughes County,” said Sheriff Callahan.
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January 31, 2025:
2024 was another busy year for the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Deputies in the field division responded to more than 3,200 calls for service in the county last year, down slightly from 2023. While overall call volume was down, the severity of crimes Deputies handled was up for the year.
According to Sheriff Patrick Callahan, mental health and substance abuse related calls continue to lead issues his office deals with countywide.
The number of mental health and welfare checks went up as much as 50% while related offenses such as harassment were up close to 30% from 2023.
Traffic complaints in the county were up slightly as were the number of injury auto crashes. Sheriff’s Deputies logged an increase in patrols throughout all areas of the county in 2024.
Chief Deputy Dustin Drew leads a field division of five Deputy Sheriffs who patrol the more than 800 square miles of Hughes County. The field division has an annual budget of roughly $1 million in salaries and operating expenses.
The jail division posted record numbers in 2024, both in terms of inmate numbers and revenues generated.
2024 jail revenues topped $4.9 million on the adult side, generating an average of $414,000 per month. The jail housed an average of 156 inmates per day, of which an average of 45 inmates were being held for Hughes County.
In all, more than 45,000 in-custody days were logged at the Hughes County Jail.
The Hughes County Jail is administered by Capt. Gerald Wasko and Lt. Jared Hall who oversee a staff of roughly 40 Detention Deputies and an annual budget of just under $6 million in salaries and operating expenses.
The Juvenile Services Center also posted record numbers in 2024. The JSC generated more than $1.2 million in revenues while safely housing juveniles from all over central South Dakota.
Sheriff Callahan noted that the JSC staff helped a record number of kids earn their GED diploma while at the center in 2024.
“Our JSC is one of the best in the state, and the people who staff it are incredible,” said Sheriff Callahan.
The JSC is administered by Lt. Chad Seidel and has an annual budget of just under $1 million.
From the administrative side, Sheriff’s staff served more than 2,225 civil papers, issued 237 concealed carry pistol permits, and spent more time protecting and serving the courts, judges, and the Hughes County Courthouse than ever before.
“We’ve been tasked to do more with less,” said Sheriff Callahan. “I’m very proud of the work of our entire staff and know that they are completely focused on serving the people of Hughes County.”
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