Deputy Chad Mechels - Rest In Peace

On March 15, 2009 in the mid hours of Sunday morning Deputy Chad Mechels with the Turner County Sheriff's Office was senselessly gunned down while on duty while on the call to "check the well being" of an individual. Chad was just doing his job when he was savagely attacked.

His funeral was yesterday, March 18, 2009 in Madison, SD. I never met Chad. The only things I have in common with him are we were both in law enforcement and I work part time for the Turner County Sheriff's Office. He was a brave man to his last breath on this earth, protecting you and me from those less desirable.

I was really impressed with his funeral. By news reports there were about 600 law enforcement officers there. I saw them from places as far away as St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN, many state Troopers from Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska. There were Police Officers, Sheriff's and Deputies along with Game Fish and Parks, DCI, Attorney General, Governor, US Marshal and others I probably missed. They were all there, many not knowing Chad, like me, to pay our last respects and to honor a man who gave the most a law enforcement officer can give, his life, to protect the rest of us as we go on with our daily lives. Chad who would turn 33 tomorrow, March 20, leaves a wife and two children, ages 7 and 3.

Chad, thank you and may God bless you and wrap his arms around you!

See these links: (You will need to copy and paste to your browser.

http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6371.cfm?Id=0,81972

http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail6371.cfm?Id=0,82100

http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/41447442.html

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090319/NEWS/903190314&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Somebody killed a police officer today

and a part of America died,

a piece of our country he swore to protect

will be buried with him at his side.

The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,

with counsel demanding his right,

while a young widow must work for their kids

and spend many long, lonely nights.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too,

Just as if he'd gone off to war.

Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,

to the case at 11th and State they will add his worn star.

Yes, somebody killed a police officer today.

It happened in your city or mine.

While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors,

a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,

and he stands at each recruit's side.

He answered the call, and gave us his all

and a part of America died.

Author unknown