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Officer Alexis Buysse, City of Watertown Police Department, was selected as South Dakota Officer of the Year by the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association and the South Dakota’s Police Chief’s Association.

Buysse was recognized for her impact and community-centered approach as the department’s Mental Health Officer.

“Through her dedication to community engagement, collaboration, and compassionate policing, Officer Buysse has made a lasting impact on the Watertown community,” said Ryan Remmers, Assistant Chief of the Watertown Police Department. “Her work has strengthened trust, saved lives, and exemplifies the highest ideals of modern policing.”

Buysse shifted from a patrol officer into her role as Mental Health Officer in January 2021. With no established framework to follow, she helped define the position from the ground up, focusing on relationship-building, prevention, and collaboration rather than enforcement alone.

Buysse built partnerships with local mental health providers, social service agencies, schools, and court services, allowing officers to connect individuals in crisis with appropriate resources quickly and effectively. Outreach initiatives are aimed at youth and families, with programs like “Color with a Cop” and the introduction of a mascot dog named “Blue” providing hundreds of children with positive, non-enforcement interactions with law enforcement, helping reduce stigma and foster early trust. Her visible presence at community events has made mental health conversations more approachable and normalized help-seeking behavior.

The impact of the community-centered approach has been measurable. By 2022, suicides in Watertown decreased from 12 annually to 3, demonstrating the effectiveness of early intervention, follow-up, and collaborative problem-solving.

In January of 2025, Buysse helped implement Watertown’s co-response model by partnering with a non-sworn social worker specializing in addiction and mental illness. Together, they continue to bridge gaps between law enforcement and community resources while expanding outreach efforts. They also developed the Are You OK? campaign to promote daily mental health awareness and encourage community members to check in on one another.

The Officer of the Year award recognizes exceptional achievement in any police endeavor and is presented jointly by the SDPCA and SDSA.

Jenna Appel, Spink County Sheriff, was recognized with the Sheriffs’ Service Award for revitalizing department morale and leading significant technological and operational advancements that have improved safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.

“Sheriff Appel is truly a shining example of law enforcement leadership in South Dakota,” said Brian Johnson, Chairman of the Spink County Commission. “Her calm, determined approach has been exactly what Spink County needed. She is dedicated to the department, the deputies she leads, and the citizens she has sworn to protect.”

Appel advanced from a part-time deputy to chief deputy to sheriff in just eight years, fueled by her exceptional leadership skills and work ethic. She inherited a department facing significant challenges, but within two years she restored the department to full staffing levels and completed certification of all deputies.

Since her appointment in July 2023, she has secured grant funding of over $332,000, funding an initiative to upgrade nearly all department equipment, including in-car and body-worn cameras, computers and printers in patrol vehicles, a new Computer Aided Dispatch system, and updated dispatch control consoles.

Appel also spearheads the department’s strong presence in the community. Staff participate in the annual “Hiding from the Cops” event, provide fingerprinting for children during the Harvest Fest, participate in the community light parade, staff concession stands at sporting events, and organize “Shop with a Cop” every December.

Appel herself additionally serves as a mentor for the Bio Girls group and is a mother to two young children.

“Yet, she is not content sitting back and relaxing,” added Johnson. “She has recently expressed a desire to offer various specialized training courses for surrounding counties, which again shows her leadership and work ethic.”

The Sheriffs’ Service Award is presented by the SDSA to recognize outstanding contributions to law enforcement by a member of the association.

Four SD Highway Patrol troopers were awarded the Medal of Honor by the South Dakota Police Chief’s Association and the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association. The awards stem from two separate incidents in which the officers performed acts of courage for the purpose of protecting human life.

Troopers Cody Jansen, Sergeant, Police Service Dog Central, and Eric Peterson, Police Service Dog East, were recognized for preventing a dangerous, armed suspect from escaping the scene of a violent crime and eliminating further threat to bystanders and responding officers.

The incident took place in April 2025 south of Beresford where law enforcement officers were pursuing a stolen vehicle driven by a suspect involved in an officer shooting. When Trooper Jansen joined the pursuit, he assumed the lead position until the suspect crashed the vehicle and began firing shots at officers, with the officers returning fire. When the still-armed suspect attempted to flee on foot, Trooper Peterson arrived and used his patrol vehicle to subdue the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Troopers Kyle Knievel and Raymond Peters, Badlands Squad, were involved in a high-speed chase in Haakon County that pertained to weapons charges. When officers disabled the vehicle with a spike strip, the suspect exchanged gunfire with officers, kidnapped a female occupant from the nearby residence, and fled in her vehicle. Law enforcement pursued until they were able to again disable the vehicle. The suspect exited the vehicle holding the hostage at gunpoint, when he was fatally wounded by a rifle shot.

“There are many law enforcement officers that deserve credit in stopping the threat that the suspect posed on that evening,” said Tim Quinn, Haakon County Sheriff. “Tribal officers, sheriff’s deputies, police department officers, troopers, and even a conservation officer continued through the gunfire until the pursuit was resolved.”

Trooper Peters is recognized for continuing the pursuit to within a few feet of the pursued vehicle, even after a gunshot through his windshield barely missed him.

Trooper Knievel placed himself in harm’s way to make a rifle shot, in the dark, in a very high stress situation, to stop a very real threat.

Their skills and quick decision making saved the life of a hostage and eliminated a deadly threat to the public and the pursuing law enforcement officers.

The Medal of Honor is presented jointly by the SDPCA and SDSA to law enforcement officers who willingly distinguish themselves through an act of courage, involving a risk of imminent serious injury or death, for the purpose of saving or protecting a human life.

The Citizen’s Award of Merit award was presented to Jeff Erickson, radio host for KYNT Riverfront Broadcasting, Yankton, for his dedication to fostering relationships between the public and first responders.

“Jeff embodies what it means to be a community leader,” said Jason Foote, Chief of the Yankton Police Department. “His tireless efforts to support local first responders, promote Yankton, and bring people together make him a truly deserving nominee. His dedication and passion have left a lasting impact on our community.”

Since 2020, Erickson has provided an on-air space where officers and first responders could discuss issues surrounding the community and, in turn, allowed the public to get to know the individuals who serve and protect them. Through his initiative, multiple agencies have had a consistent and positive presence on the airwaves, helping to educate, inform, and recruit new talent while showcasing the dedication of those who proudly wear the badge.

Erickson’s commitment to first responders goes beyond just radio segments. He is a vocal advocate for their service and works tirelessly to bridge the gap between public servants and the citizens they serve. He even serves as the energetic and entertaining announcer for the Battle of the Badges, an annual charity basketball game featuring first responders. His wit and humor keep both participants and spectators engaged, adding to the excitement of the highly anticipated event.

The Citizen’s Award of Merit is presented to a citizen, company, or group who performed an exceptional act or demonstrated a continued pattern of actions that furthered the missions and goals of the SDPCA and SDSA, or who have made a significant contribution to the law enforcement profession in the State of South Dakota. It is presented jointly by the SDPCA and SDSA.

Chief Michael Schurch and Sergeant Tyson Bullis, City of Beresford Police Department, and Sergeant EJ Colshan, Lincoln County Deputy, were recognized with the Superintendent’s Award for Meritorious Service for their part in an April 2025 incident south of Beresford involving an armed suspect fleeing the scene of a violent crime.

The officers were made aware that the suspect was possibly fleeing southbound on Interstate 29. Strategically placing their vehicles to intercept, they located the vehicle and initiated pursuit. They were joined by several Highway Patrol troopers when the suspect crashed the vehicle and began firing shots at officers. The officers returned fire and the still-armed suspect attempted to flee on foot, eventually being subdued by a patrol vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident, and the officers are credited with eliminating further threat to bystanders and responding officers.

The Superintendent’s Award for Meritorious Service is presented by the South Dakota Highway Patrol to recognize individuals for heroic actions.

Officer Taylor White, City of Tea Police Department, was recognized with the Ken Prorok Traffic Safety Officer of the Year for his professionalism, dedication, and proactive enforcement.

“Taylor’s efforts have directly contributed to the reduction of impaired driving incidents and improved traffic safety outcomes in his jurisdiction,” said Sergeant Michael W. Varilek, Corson County Sheriff’s Office, who nominated White for the award. “His work ethic, integrity, and commitment to the mission of saving lives on South Dakota roadways embody the values of Chief Deputy Ken Prorok and this award.”

White serves as a Drug Recognition Expert, Police Service Dog Handler, and Field Training Officer for the City of Tea.

White’s expertise as a Drug Recognition Expert has been instrumental in identifying impaired drivers and removing them from South Dakota’s highways before tragedy can occur. Varilek, who also serves as the Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, said that White demonstrates a deep understanding of the physiological and behavioral indicators of impairment, ensuring that his evaluations are thorough, defensible, and rooted in best practice.

As a Police Service Dog Handler, White has contributed to numerous successful drug interdictions, locating narcotics that would have otherwise continued to circulate through not only his community but the communities surrounding the City of Tea. His work with his K-9 Suni and his willingness to assist other agencies not only deters drug-related driving offenses but also strengthens interagency collaboration and enhances public trust.

In his role as a Field Training Officer, White places strong emphasis on lawful, ethical, and safety-oriented traffic enforcement, ensuring that each trainee understands the life-saving impact of proactive traffic work. His mentorship style reinforces professionalism and situational awareness, setting a high standard for the department.

The Ken Prorok Traffic Safety Officer of the Year Award is given out by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Highway Safety to recognize the outstanding efforts of a South Dakota law enforcement officer who has made significant impacts in highway safety in their community.