Dec. 16, 2025:
A South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation review has determined that a Beresford Police Department Officer was justified in his use of force during a traffic stop Nov. 21, 2025, in Beresford.
According to DCI, the incident began when the officer stopped a Ford Expedition SUV for a traffic violation in the Truck Towne Travel Plaza in Beresford. The driver was identified as 36 year old Christopher John Pearson of Brookings.
When the officer approached the vehicle, he detected the odor of alcohol and witnessed an open container. Pearson was compliant at first, and was instructed to leave the vehicle. Pearson then became combative and the officer had to push Pearson towards the patrol vehicle.
As Pearson was being placed under arrest, he took the officer’s handcuffs away from the officer and began walking back toward his SUV. When Pearson refused to comply with the officer’s verbal commands, the officer fired his Taser twice at Pearson, but Pearson did not stop. When Pearson reached his SUV, he took a 9mm derringer style, two-barreled pistol from the truck and pointed it at the officer. The officer fired his weapon, shooting Pearson, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Testing of Pearson’s blood showed a blood alcohol content of 0.212 percent, but no illegal drugs. Blood and urine samples of the officer tested negative for alcohol or illegal drugs.
Pearson was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing or purchasing a firearm. The pistol used by Pearson was recovered at the scene. Additionally, he had two prior misdemeanor DUI convictions, one prior felony DUI conviction, and one prior felony Assault on Law Enforcement conviction. In September 2025, Pearson was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI and Open Alcohol Container. Those charges had not yet been resolved at the time of this incident.
Law enforcement agencies responding were the Beresford Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, South Dakota Forensic Lab, and the Lincoln County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This was the seventh Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota this year.
DCI’s summary of the investigation can be found here, https://atg.sd.gov/docs/Pearson%20OIS%20Summary%2012-12-25%20AG%20draft%203.pdf.
Nov. 24, 2025:
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating a shooting involving a Beresford Police Department officer that occurred Friday night (Nov. 21, 2025) in Beresford.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, a Beresford Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a Ford Explorer at 8:48 p.m. Friday night in the parking lot of the Truck Towne Travel Plaza on Highway 46 in Beresford. The officer involved shooting took place during the traffic stop.
36 year old Christopher John Pearson of Aurora, SD, who was the driver of the Ford, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is planned. The officer was not injured.
DCI will conduct an investigation and once complete, will issue a summary of the incident within 30 days.
This is the seventh Officer Involved Shooting in South Dakota this year.
Law enforcement agencies assisting with the call were the Beresford Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office and Lincoln County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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