Pennington County Sheriff's Office

06/14/2026

Care Campus Employee of the Month is Detox Tech Latasha Frank. She is the kind of team member you can rely on--never complains regardless of the assignment. She has built excellent rapport with our clients, demonstrating empathy, active listening & non-judgmental support.

06/12/2026

Today in front of the Civil Rights Commission in Washington DC, Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center Commander Joe Guttierez (left) and Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Center Director Jamie Gravett (right) presented information on how Juvenile justice facilities provide Mental Health services in South Dakota.
They are pictured with Civil Rights Commissioner Rochelle Garza.

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office is saddened to confirm the passing of Paul Nebel as a result of injuries sustained in a shooting at the Central States Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

We extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s family and friends, the Central States Fair family and all those affected by this tragedy. We also continue to keep the injured Oglala Sioux Tribe officer, his family and fellow officers in our thoughts. This incident has impacted multiple communities across western South Dakota.

“We are fortunate to have such strong partnerships among our local, tribal, state and federal public safety agencies,” said Pennington County Sheriff Brian Mueller. “We are grateful for the cooperation and professionalism demonstrated by all those involved in these tragic circumstances.”

06/10/2026

The Felony Alert issued for Little Eagle Condon is cancelled. He has been arrested.

06/09/2026

Deputy Christopher Brown is Employee of the Month. He is a tremendous asset. While on light duty he helped both the civil & warrants teams and wherever needed. He audited, processed & filed various records. The PCSO is lucky to have him!

06/08/2026

Victim identified in Central States Fairgrounds shooting

Pennington County, SD – The Pennington County Sheriff's Office and the Rapid City Police Department continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting that occurred on the Central States Fairgrounds property on Sunday morning, June 7, 2026.

The victim, Maintenance Manager Paul Nebel, 50, of Rapid City, sustained serious, life-threatening injuries after being shot by employee John Troy Lee, 58 years old of Rapid City. Lee had been residing in a camper on the fairgrounds property. The preliminary investigation indicates Nebel was addressing a personnel issue with Lee when the incident occurred.

Following the shooting, law enforcement agencies worked together to locate Lee who fled from Rapid City. Lee was later located by Oglala Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. During that encounter, an officer-involved shooting occurred and Lee is deceased. Oglala Sioux Tribal Interim Chief Iver Crow Eagle is handling information on the officer involved shooting on the reservation.

The investigation remains active with assistance from the Rapid City Police Department, Division of Criminal Investigation, FBI, BIA and Oglala Sioux Tribal law enforcement. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

Our continued thoughts are with Nebel’s family, friends and our partners at the Central States Fair.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Pennington County Sheriff's Office Investigator Jorge Salas at 605-394-6115.

06/07/2026

Shooting at Central States Fairgrounds, Suspect is Deceased

Pennington County, SD – A man was shot and injured at the Central States Fairgrounds at 8:45am, Sunday, June 7, 2026. The shooting suspect was identified as 58-year-old John Troy Lee of Rapid City.

Lee was located by Oglala Sioux Tribal Officials on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. There was an officer involved shooting and the suspect is deceased.

The original shooting victim remains hospitalized. His name and condition are not being released at this time.

There is no further threat to public safety. Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Rapid City Fire Department, National Park Service & Oglala Sioux Tribal law enforcement are assisting with this ongoing investigation.

06/07/2026

Updated photo of Central States Fairgrounds shooting suspect 58-year-old John Troy Lee of Rapid City. Lee should be considered armed and should not be approached. Call if you have info about of suspect/vehicle at 605-394-2151.

06/07/2026

Central States Fairgrounds shooting update.
Suspect may have dyed his hair black, has a pony tail, has shaven his beard and now has a 5 o’clock shadow.