Trial of man charged with killing a Moody County law enforcement officer set to begin in April 2025

JUNE 20, 2024:

The First-Degree Murder trial of Joseph Gene Hoek of Sioux Falls will start April 21, 2025. Hoek is charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding in the Feb. 2, 2024, death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok.

The trial date was set during a status hearing held Thursday at the Moody County Courthouse in Flandreau. The trial is scheduled for five weeks.

Attorney General Marty Jackley earlier this year provided written notice to the court on the state’s intention to seek the death penalty if a jury finds the defendant guilty of First-Degree Murder.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

MARCH 13, 2024:

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says notice has been filed of the state’s intention to ask for the death penalty in the First Degree Murder case against Joseph Gene Hoek (hook) of Sioux Falls. He has been charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding in connection with the Feb. 2, 2024, death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok.

While only one aggravating circumstance is required to seek the death penalty, during a court hearing Wednesday (March 13, 2024) in Flandreau, Jackley cited two of them. One being that “Hoek committed First Degree Murder while Chief Deputy Prorok was engaged in the performance of his official duties;” and, the other being that “Hoek committed First Degree Murder for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with, or preventing a lawful arrest of Hoek.”

If a jury finds the defendant guilty of First Degree Murder, Jackley says it’s his intention to offer evidence to the jury that will prove that one or both of those aggravating circumstances have been met. He says this is a decision that is never taken lightly, but “based upon the aggravating circumstances of this case, we believe it is appropriate.”

Hoek has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution. His next court appearance has been scheduled for June 20, 2024, at 11am at the Moody County Courthouse in Flandreau.

MARCH 4, 2024:

March 13, 2024, will be the next court appearance for the Sioux Falls man charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault in connection with the death of a South Dakota law enforcement officer last month (Feb. 2, 2024).

Attorney General Marty Jackley is expected to provide written notice on whether or not the State intends to seek the death penalty in the case against Joseph Gene Hoek (Hook). Hoek was driving a vehicle that struck and killed 51 year old Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok (pro-rock) of Wentworth during a pursuit on Feb. 2, 2024. Prorok has been with the Moody County Sheriff’s Office since he was sworn in as a law enforcement officer in 2016.

Hoek’s court proceeding has been moved from Brookings to the Moody County Courthouse in Flandreau (11am CT). The hearing will be held in front of Circuit Court Judge Gregory Stoltenburg, who will preside at the trial.

Hoek is being held without bond in the Lake County Jail. He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

FEBRUARY 9, 2024:

A Moody County Grand Jury has indicted 40 year old Joseph Gene Hoek of Sioux Falls on charges of First Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding for the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok.

The grand jury issued the indictments on Friday (Feb. 9, 2024). Hoek is being held without bond.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said the First Degree murder charge is a class A felony that carries a maximum sentence of death or life without parole and/or a $50,000 fine. The Aggravated Eluding charge is a class 6 Felony that carries a maximum sentence of two years in the state prison and/or a $4,000 fine.

Hoek’s next court appearance is March 13, 2024, at 11am CT in Brookings County Circuit Court. He is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

FEBRUARY 8, 2024:

MADISON, S.D. (AP) — Law officers from across South Dakota and out of state flashed their emergency lights in unison as hundreds of mourners packed a sports stadium to honor a South Dakota deputy killed in the line of duty.

Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, 51, of Wentworth, was remembered Thursday (Feb. 8, 2024) as a coach, mentor and a giving member of his community, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported. The funeral was so large that it took place at the Dakota State Fieldhouse in Madison.

Prorok was killed Feb. 2 when he was struck by a suspect’s vehicle while placing spike strips during a police chase. Prosecutors charged Joseph Gene Hoek, 40, with first-degree murder and aggravated eluding. He is jailed without bond.

Roads leading to the fieldhouse were lined with flags at half-staff, and with people showing support for the fallen deputy and his family. At the fieldhouse, the dozens of police vehicles had their emergency lights on in tribute to Prorok.

“Ken was a quiet difference maker and an influencer to all who crossed his path, whether they knew it or not,” his sister-in-law, Robin Eich, said prior to the service. “Ken always told Renee (his wife) that he would be home after every shift no matter what. He just didn’t know that this time ‘home’ would be Heaven.”

Gov. Kristi Noem was among those at the funeral. Meanwhile, the South Dakota House and Senate observed a moment of silence to honor Prorok.

Special Agent Jeffrey Kollars of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation wrote in a court filing that Madison police responded Friday afternoon to a call about a man, identified as Hoek, making “homicidal threats” near the business where the caller worked. Police spotted his car and tried to stop him, but Hoek sped off, Kollars wrote.

The chase reached 115 mph (185 kph). Prorok stopped to deploy stop spikes across Highway 34. A witness said he saw the approaching car intentionally swerve and strike Prorok before it went into the ditch and flipped, the agent wrote. Hoek ran but the witness caught him and detained him until officers arrived, the court filing stated.

Prorock died at the scene. Hoek was not seriously hurt.

Kollars wrote that Hoek told him he had gone to the business to collect from the caller, who he said owed him money. Investigators who searched the car found suspected THC vapes, suspected marijuana paraphernalia and “blunts,” and containers of cold medicine, the agent wrote. Outside the car they found an apparent bong and an unopened bottle of liquor, he said.

Hoek’s mother told investigators that she believed her son “was suffering from mental health issues and was self-medicating.”

FEBRUARY 5, 2024:

The Moody County deputy sheriff who was killed during a vehicle pursuit Friday (Feb. 2, 2024) was allegedly run over by a fleeing suspect who’s now charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding.

40 year old Joseph Gene Hoek of Sioux Falls made his first court appearance Monday (Feb. 5, 2024) in Flandreau.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is prosecuting the case. He says the incident that killed Chief Deputy Ken Prorok began with a citizen’s call for help.

Jackley says he will talk to those impacted before any decision is made on whether or not to pursue the death penalty against Hoek.

Hoek is being held without bond pending his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Friday.

The First Degree Murder charge is a class A felony and carries a maximum sentence of death or life without parole and/or a $50,000 fine. The Aggravated Eluding charge is a class 6 Felony that carries a maximum sentence of two years in the state prison and/or a $4,000 fine.

The defendant is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

(News partners KWAT and KELO AM contributed to this story.)

FEBRUARY 3, 2024:

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has confirmed that Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok was killed in the line of duty Friday afternoon (Feb. 2, 2024) in Moody County.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Prorok, 51, of Wentworth has been with the Moody County Sheriff’s Office since he was sworn in as a law enforcement officer in 2016.

“Ken was a husband, father, grandfather, and well-respected leader in his community.  All law enforcement is mourning the loss of Ken, and we send our condolences and prayers to his family and agency,” said Jackley.

Joseph Gene Hoek, 40, of Sioux Falls has been arrested in connection with the incident that led to the Chief Deputy Sheriff’s death. He is being held in the Lake County Jail in Madison. Charges will be filed on or about the time of his initial appearance which is 9 a.m., this Monday, Feb. 5, at the Lake County Courthouse in Madison.

“The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Highway Patrol, with the help of local law enforcement agencies, continue their investigation,” said Attorney General Jackley. “The charges will be based on the evidence.”