South Dakota Deputy Katherine Ann Frank dies after shooting

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy Katherine Ann Frank passed away on Monday, October 12, following a line-of-duty shooting in Sioux Falls. Frank, 26, was critically wounded during an exchange of gunfire with a suspect on the evening of Friday, October 9, in the 2900 block of South Keyrell Drive.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Brandon Oetken, was also shot during the incident and taken to a hospital for treatment. Oetken faces multiple charges, including three counts of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. Authorities noted that charges may be amended following the deputy's death.

Frank joined the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office in June 2024, having previously served at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. She was a 2018 graduate of Dawson-Boyd High School in Minnesota. The Minnehaha County Deputies Association has established a GoFundMe page to support her family.