Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels, Madison, SD March 18, 2009



Eight members of the Worthington and Marshall sectors of the Mn Patrtiot Guard attended a very memorable Honors Mission for Deputy Sheriff Chad Mechels of the Turner County, SD, Sheriff's Department. Deputy Mechels was killed in the line of duty on March 15, 2009.

SD State Captain Jim Lentsch conducted the ride briefing, with PGR, Rolling Thunder, and American Legion Riders attending this mission, from Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. As fellow law enforcement officer, Jim shared with us the details of Deputy Mechels last day of duty, mentioning that there had not been a peace officer killed in SD since 1984. At the end of the ride briefing, a motor officer escorted us slowly through the town of Madison, to the location of the funeral at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.

After mission Ride Captain Gary Saxhaug established the flag line on both sides of the entrance to the Playhouse, we saw several "Changing of the Guards" directly in front of us, as pairs of officers took their turns as Honor Guards in front of the doors to the Playhouse, and then we were witness to hundreds of Law Enforcement Officers from several states file past us, entering the Playhouse for the service.

After the service, Motor Officers from Siioux Falls taught us a lesson in slow riding as they led us unwavering at a snail's pace to the cemetery, as we escorted the funeral procession. Turning into the two mile long road, we witnessed an unbelieveable site, as both sides of the road was completely lined with squad cars, lights flashing, and their officers standing next to them. As we passed through this line of hundreds of LEO's, we heard over and over again groups of officers coming to attention, and looking in our mirrors we could see them salute as Deputy Mechels passed by on his way to his final watch. As the family turned into the cemetery, they drove through a corrider of nearly 100 flags erected by the SD PGR to the grave site.

After parking our cycles across the road, we walked into the cemetery and formed two flag lines on both sides of the interment site, and watched as members of the SD Highway Patrol performed the Honors in memory of Deputy Mechels.

Each of us received a beautiful pin from the South Dakota Sheriffs' Association, and "Tina," from the SD PGR, sent to me dozens of pictures taken at this mission, some of which I loaded to this Shutterfly link.

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

God bless the memory of Deputy Chad Mechels.

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Respectfully submitted,
Alan Peterson
Marshall Sector Ride Captain