South Dakota Deputy Katherine Frank Dies Three Days After Shooting in Sioux Falls Confrontation

A 26-year-old Minnehaha County sheriff's deputy, Katherine Frank, was shot during a confrontation at a Sioux Falls home on Friday night and died three days later after remaining in critical condition. The incident left suspect Brandon John Oetken wounded; both were initially treated at the scene before transport to hospitals. Oetken now faces three counts of attempted first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault on a law-enforcement officer, along with a felony charge for disarming an officer, and is being held without bond.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the case at the sheriff's request, while the attorney general's office will issue a use-of-force report within 30 days. Attorney General Marty Jackley issued a statement honoring Frank’s service, noting her organ donation after death. Frank had worked at the South Dakota State Penitentiary since September 2022 and joined the sheriff's office in June 2024.