Sioux County Sheriff Nate Huizenga says the death of a deputy in neighboring South Dakota is a painful reminder of the risks officers face and the families waiting for them to come home.
Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Katherine Frank, 26, died Monday, October 12, after being shot while responding to a call in Sioux Falls Friday evening. Law enforcement agencies across Sioux County and northwest Iowa have shared tributes honoring her service and offering support to her family and fellow officers.
Huizenga said the loss makes him think about his own personnel responding to calls each day and the emphasis placed on returning home safely during academy training.
“And you can do everything right. And there might be that time where you don’t go home,” Huizenga continued. “It’s a reminder of how fragile life is.”
Supporting Officers and Their Families
Huizenga said Sioux County officers are wearing mourning bands over their badges (Sheriff Huizenga’s pictured above) in tribute to Frank. Officers who wish to attend her funeral will be encouraged to do so.
Having spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Huizenga said seeing someone so young lose her life early in her career adds to the tragedy. Asked what he tells his family when something like this happens, Huizenga said preparation is central to his response.
“You train for the worst day. We have the best equipment we can possibly get. We try to get the best training that we can possibly get, and rely on our brothers and sisters that go to these calls with us to hopefully give ourselves the best possible outcome.”
Huizenga said those efforts cannot eliminate every risk officers face.
“And again, sometimes there’s things that happen that you can’t control. And, you know, those are the days that you hope never come. But, in the meantime, what we do is we just train and we try to have the best equipment we can and do the best job that we can.”
Tributes Across Northwest Iowa
The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office also offered condolences in a Facebook post, expressing support for its neighbors across the state line.
“We stand with our neighbors during this heartbreaking time and honor the ultimate sacrifice she made in service to her community,” the office wrote.
Sioux Center police shared a Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office post with a prayer for the deputy, staff, and families.
Orange City police offered condolences and emphasized the shared commitment connecting officers who serve different communities.
“Although we wear different uniforms and serve different communities, we are united by the same commitment to protect and serve. When one of us falls, the loss is felt by all of us,” the department wrote on Facebook.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said members of its team had recently worked a case with Frank and were grateful for her professionalism. The office asked people to keep her family, friends, coworkers, and area law enforcement in their prayers.
Frank’s Service and the Shooting Investigation
According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook announcement, Frank worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary beginning in September 2022 before joining the sheriff’s office in June 2024.
The agency said Frank was surrounded by family and loved ones in her final moments. She became an organ donor, continuing to help others after her death.
A memorial has been established at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 West Fourth Street in Sioux Falls. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the funeral service will be held on Monday, October 19, at 1:00 in Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford Premier Center. The invitation is “extended to all law enforcement agencies and any members of the public who wish to attend and pay their respects to Deputy Frank. Community members wishing to show their support will have the opportunity to line the procession route.”
According to the agency’s account of the shooting, deputies were dispatched to the 2900 block of South Keyrell Drive around 7 p.m. October 9 and arrived at approximately 7:32 p.m. About 30 minutes later, shots were fired, striking Frank and the suspect. Both received immediate medical aid and were transported to hospitals.
In an earlier update, the sheriff’s office identified the suspect as 39-year-old Brandon John Oetken of Sioux Falls. The agency announced that a criminal complaint charged him with three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer involving premeditation and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting.
Huizenga said support for Minnehaha County will include prayers and a willingness to help. He also emphasized the growing recognition of mental health needs in law enforcement and the importance of officers caring for themselves so they can care for their communities.
“Their brothers and sisters in law enforcement are going to keep them in prayer. And they’re also going to be there if they need anything.”
