Deputy Chief of Police Virgil Laurence Deyo, Huron Police Department, South Dakota

Deputy Chief of Police Virgil Laurence Deyo

Huron Police Department, South Dakota

End of Watch Tuesday, November 29, 1966

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Virgil Laurence Deyo

Deputy Police Chief Virgil Deyo was shot and killed while searching for a suspect along with a posse.

Although off-duty, Deputy Chief Deyo volunteered to join the posse as he was acquainted with the suspect and believed he could talk the man into surrendering. The officers located the suspect and opened fire on his car when the suspect refused to stop. The man fled into a nearby creek bed to hide.

As the officers searched some nearby underbrush, the suspect opened fire, mortally wounding Deputy Chief Deyo. Another officer returned fire and killed the man.

Deputy Chief Deyo succumbed to his wounds two days later.

Deputy Chief Deyo was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

Age 46
Tour 19 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Sunday, November 27, 1966
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

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Most Recent Reflection

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Virgil. Every kid in town knew Police Officer Virgil Deyo because he was patient with his time around kids. I don't know what else Virgil offered to his community in life other than his Police Department service; but his 'tough but gentle' image to me and my boyhood friends in Huron made him a heroic figure everyday. I dispatched for the State Police for several years after Virgil was killed and heard words of admiration from our Law Enforcement community for Virgil's dedication to his work and his family.

Jay Hinker, USA-USN, State Radio Dispatc
SoDak State Radio

August 11, 2015