On March 15, 2009 Turner County, South Dakota Sheriff's Deputy Mechels responded to a farmhouse west of Marion, South Dakota, to check on the well-being of an individual. After arriving, he was shot. He was taken to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls where he died from his injuries.

The suspect, a 19-year-old male, called 911 to report he had shot Deputy Mechels and then fled the scene. He was taken into custody later in the day when he turned himself in at the Minnehaha County Law Enforcement Center. He was charged with first degree murder.

Deputy Mechels had served with the Turner County Sheriff's Department for five months. He had previously served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department and Kingsbury County Sheriff's Department, for a total of five years of law enforcement experience.

Deputy Mechels is survived by his wife, 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.

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