Hughes County Sheriff's Office - South Dakota

08/11/2026

Let’s Work Together to End Drunk Driving!

From August 19 through September 7, 2026, the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office , South Dakota Department of Public Safety-Office of Highway Safety, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be working alongside local law enforcement to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

During the 2024 Labor Day holiday (6 p.m. August 30 - 5:59 a.m. September 3), there were 505 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 505 fatalities, 34% (170) involved a drunk driver. Seventy-seven percent of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2024, 40% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

According to the South Dakota Office of Accident Records, over the past five Labor Day weekends (2021–2025), impaired driving crashes have resulted in 6 fatalities and 51 injuries on South Dakota roadways. This is why the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office is working together with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety-Office of Highway Safety, and NHTSA to remind drivers that impaired driving is not only illegal; it’s a matter of life and death. As you head out to festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.

If a driver intends to drink during a Labor Day festivity, he or she should plan ahead for a safe ride home by securing a designated driver or calling a taxi or rideshare. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get somewhere. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment and endangers others on the road.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement.

For more information on impaired driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DrunkDriving, and https://drivesafesd.com/.

Deputy Nickerson
Hughes County Sheriff’s Office

07/27/2026

Press Release

Hughes County, SD- On Monday, July 27, 2026, at approximately 7:15 a.m., fishermen near the Oahe Dam Powerhouse reported witnessing a vehicle enter the Missouri River on the Hughes County side.

After receiving the call, Central South Dakota Communications quickly alerted the appropriate emergency response agencies. Responding agencies included the Hughes County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), South Dakota Highway Patrol, Pierre Fire Department (PFD), Pierre Fire Department Rescue Squad, and American Medical Response (AMR).

Witnesses at the scene were interviewed, allowing responders to establish the vehicle's approximate location. Personnel from GFP and the PFD Rescue Squad located the submerged vehicle, and the PFD Dive Rescue Team was deployed. A lone adult male occupant was removed from the vehicle.

Life-saving measures were immediately initiated but were ultimately unsuccessful. The individual's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The vehicle was recovered from the Missouri River by Central Divers LLC with assistance from Black Hills Towing.
During operations at the incident staging area, a Pierre-area first responder experienced a serious medical emergency. Fellow responders immediately provided life-saving care before the individual was transported for continued medical treatment.

The Hughes County Sheriff's Office would like to thank all responding agencies for their coordinated efforts and professionalism during this incident. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the vehicle entering the river remains ongoing.

07/24/2026

The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a dedicated and professional candidate to serve as Deputy Sheriff. Deputies play a vital role in protecting the public, enforcing federal, state, and local laws, and building positive relationships with the community.

This position requires individuals with strong integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in high-stress situations. Deputies are trusted representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism while ensuring the safety and rights of the community they serve.

91 Deputy jobs available in Pierre, SD on Indeed.com. Apply to Assistant Manager, Quality Control Manager, Physician Assistant and more!

07/22/2026

Help Chief Deputy Drew raise money for the Gold program! Click the link to make your pledge!

Golf for GOLD is just 3 weeks away! We have a great lineup of dedicated (crazy) golfers this year who will be playing 6 consecutive rounds on Monday, July 27th, raising money for the Stanley County GOLD Program's long-term future!

Pledge or donate for your golfer here at this link: https://forms.gle/khpTmpRYCKLV2JYQ7

07/01/2026

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

CONTACT: Nick Dooley, Emergency Manager, 605-773-7486

Road work: Self-report link for damages

PIERRE, SD –

The Hughes County Emergency Manager has established a self-report link to be used for residential and commercial damages from the weather event that occurred on Monday, June 29, 2026. Residents of Hughes County with residential or commercial damage can self-report at the attached link. The link is also available on the Hughes County webpage under the Emergency Management tab. Click on the red banner at the top of the page. The deadline for reporting damages is July 10, 2026.

https://crisistrack.juvare.com/selfreport/sdoem.jsp...

Please contact the Hughes County Emergency Manager, Nick Dooley, at 605-773-7486 with any questions.

06/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming the new Hughes County Sheriff, Jeff Metzinger!

Sheriff Metzinger brings nearly three decades of law enforcement experience, strong community ties, and valuable professional relationships to the Hughes County Sheriff's Office and we are proud to welcome him.

He began his law enforcement career in 1998 as a certified Pierre Area Reserve Officer, serving with both the Hughes County Sheriff's Office and the Pierre Police Department. In 1999, he was hired full time with the Pierre PD, where he served in a variety of roles and steadily advanced throughout his career.

In 2009, he joined the South Dakota Division of Criminal Justice as a Special Agent, investigating complex cases across the state. Since 2019 he has served with the Attorney General’s office as a Medicaid Fraud Investigator, conducting criminal and civil investigations involving fraud and abuse.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Sheriff Metzinger has served as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Lieutenant, Drug Task Force Agent assigned to the Pierre FBI Office, Fi****ms Training Officer, certified Armorer, SWAT Officer, DCI Bomb Squad Agent, Homicide Investigator, and undercover operative. His extensive experience spans patrol, leadership, training, specialized tactical assignments, and both criminal and civil investigations.

We are excited for the future of our office under Sheriff Metzinger’s leadership and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our staff, partnerships, and most importantly the citizens of Hughes County.

05/21/2026

🚨‼️ Scam Alert ‼️🚨

The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER contact you by phone regarding a warrant and instruct you to make a payment over the phone, through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or any electronic payment app.

These scam calls can sound very convincing and intimidating, and callers may try to pressure you into acting quickly or sharing personal information. Please do not provide any personal, banking, or payment information over the phone.

If you ever question whether someone contacting you is truly a deputy from our office, hang up and call us directly to verify.

Hughes County Sheriff’s Office
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
605-773-7470

Non-Emergency Dispatch (after hours)
605-773-7410

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post to help protect others from these scams.

05/15/2026

Seat Belts Saves Lives
Buckle Up May 11th – May 31st, and Every Day

The Hughes County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety-Office of Highway Safety, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging drivers to buckle up ahead of the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign. The national high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs May 11th-31st, 2026.
Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike. During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message gets out to drivers and passengers. Not buckling up could mean a ticket, or worse, risking a life.
In 2024, there were 9,758 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes. The national seat belt use rate in 2024 was 91.2%, which is good — but it can be better. The other 8.8% still need to be reminded that seat belts save lives. Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.
One of the focuses of the Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign is nighttime enforcement. NHTSA data shows a higher number of unrestrained occupant fatalities happen at night (56% between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m.). Of the males killed in crashes in 2023, more than half (53%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 41% were not buckled up.
Buckle Up the Right Way
• Place the shoulder belt across the middle of the chest and away from the neck.
• Lay the lap belt across the hips and not the stomach.
• NEVER place the seat belt behind the back or under arms.
We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up in the front and back seats and to consider changing their habits if they don’t. Seat belts save lives, and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up.
For more information on the Click It or Ticket seat belt high-visibility enforcement campaign, please visit NHTSA.gov/ClickIt and https://drivesafesd.com.

Deputy Gary Nickerson
Hughes County Sheriff’s Office

Wear your seat belt every time—no matter how uncomfortable it feels or how far you're going. Because there's no such thing as a good excuse for not buckling up.

05/04/2026

🚨 Help us give a warm welcome to Deputy Zane Lewis, the newest addition to the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office!

Deputy Lewis started his law enforcement career with the Pierre Police Department in August 2024 and was sworn in with our office on April 27, 2026.

He is known for his strong work ethic, commitment to his family, and positive attitude. Deputy Lewis is a great fit for our team and we’re excited to have him serving alongside us and protecting our community. 🚔

Welcome to the team, Deputy Lewis!

04/21/2026

🚨 **SCAM ALERT – FAKE COURT NOTICE** 🚨

Residents are reporting letters that look like an official South Dakota Traffic Division Court Notice with threats of license suspension, collections, and a QR code to “pay immediately” being sent via text.

💡 Remember:
Real courts do NOT demand payment via QR codes, random links, or use threatening letters without proper legal service.

• Do NOT scan the QR code or send money
• Do NOT call numbers listed on the letter

Please share to warn others. Scammers rely on panic and urgency. Stay safe!