Minnehaha County Deputy Katherine Frank died Monday after spending three days in critical condition following a shooting at a Sioux Falls home. She was 26 years old.
According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, gunfire erupted on a Friday night roughly 30 minutes after deputies arrived at a residence on Keyrell Drive in southwest Sioux Falls. Frank and a suspect, identified as 39-year-old Brandon John Oetken of Sioux Falls, were both wounded during the confrontation. Medical personnel treated them at the scene before transporting both to area hospitals.
Frank passed away surrounded by her family and loved ones. In a final act of service, the sheriff’s office announced that she became an organ donor.
Suspect Faces Multiple Felony Charges
Brandon John Oetken remained held in custody without bond at the Minnehaha County Jail. Jail records show he faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Additional records reviewed by media outlets also list a felony charge for disarming a law enforcement officer.
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the ongoing inquiry into the shooting at the request of the sheriff’s office. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley stated that investigators will complete a comprehensive review of the use of force, with a public report expected within 30 days.
Tributes and Community Response
Law enforcement agencies, state leaders, and local officials shared widespread condolences following Frank’s death. Frank began her career working at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in September 2022 before joining the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in June 2024.
“Deputy Frank’s death is a significant loss to our agency and to the broader law enforcement community in and around Sioux Falls,” the sheriff’s office said in a public statement. “She served the citizens of Minnehaha County with professionalism, humility, and dedication.”
Sheriff Mike Milstead and other state leaders, including Governor Larry Rhoden, Attorney General Marty Jackley, and U.S. Senators and Representatives, offered their thoughts and prayers to Frank’s family, friends, and colleagues. A public memorial has been established outside the Law Enforcement Center in Sioux Falls for community members wishing to pay their respects.
Background on Line-of-Duty Incidents in South Dakota
According to data tracked by the Officer Down Memorial Page, Frank is the first South Dakota law enforcement officer to die from injuries sustained in a line-of-duty shooting since 2011, when Rapid City Police Officers Nicholas Keegan Armstrong and James Ryan McCandless were fatally shot. Attorney General Jackley noted that this incident marks the fifth law enforcement-involved shooting in South Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Deputy Katherine Frank?
Katherine Frank was a 26-year-old deputy with the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota. She joined the department in June 2024 after previously working at the South Dakota State Penitentiary starting in September 2022.
What happened during the Sioux Falls shooting?
Deputies responded to a residence on Keyrell Drive in Sioux Falls. Approximately 30 minutes after their arrival, a confrontation occurred and gunfire erupted, leaving Deputy Frank and suspect Brandon John Oetken critically injured.
What charges does Brandon John Oetken face?
Brandon John Oetken, 39, faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He is held without bond.
Who is investigating the shooting?
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the independent investigation into the incident at the request of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.
Where can community members pay their respects?
A memorial has been established outside the Law Enforcement Center located at 320 W. 4th Street in downtown Sioux Falls for individuals wishing to honor Deputy Frank.
