May 6, 2026, update:
The annual South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony was held Wednesday morning (May 6, 2026) along Capitol Lake in Pierre.
Those remembered on South Dakota’s Law Enforcement Memorial represent local, county, Tribal, state and federal agencies.
Guest speaker and Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead spoke about the dedication of the law enforcement officers he knows.
And….
Milstead said while officers perform their duties to serve and protect the public, they’re missing out on things happening at home.
According to the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association website, Milstead joined the Sioux Falls Police Explorer program in 1969 when he was a high school freshman. He started his full time career with the Sioux Falls Police Department in 1973, working for that agency for more than 24 years before being sworn in as Sheriff of Minnehaha County in May of 1997– 29 years ago this month.
National Correctional Officers Week is being observed this week. National Law Enforcement Week is next week (May 10-16, 2026), with National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead spoke during the South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead spoke during the South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial by Capitol Lake in Pierre.
May 6, 2026.
Photo credit to Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
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May 6, 2026:
The annual South Dakota Law Enforcement Memorial Service will be held in Pierre this morning (May 6, 2026).
At 9:10am, a procession will travel from the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center (1302 E. Highway 1889), to the Law Enforcement Memorial at Capitol Lake near the State Capitol in Pierre. A wreath laying ceremony starts at 9:30am at Capitol Lake, followed by a memorial service at 10am at the Madison Avenue Church of Christ (323 N. Madison Ave.).
The names of more than 70 officers who died in the line of duty will be read at the ceremony. Those remembered on the memorial represent local, county, Tribal, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
National Correctional Officers Week is being observed this week. National Law Enforcement Week is next week (May 10-16), with National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which the date falls as Police Week. In keeping with this tradition, the South Dakota Fraternal Order of Police, in conjunction with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, has held this annual memorial service to honor South Dakota’s officers killed in the line of duty.
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