SD Police Chiefs’ Association Presents 2016 Award

SD Police Chiefs’ Association and SD Sheriffs’ Association Present 2016 Medal of Honor Award

The Medal of Honor award is for 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 or while taking an armed and immediately dangerous suspect into custody.

The Medal of Honor award is given jointly by the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ Association and the South Dakota Sheriffs’ Association. The 2016 Medal of Honor award was presented to Sergeant Jason Foote, Yankton Police Department, at the annual banquet at the Joint Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Spring Training held in Deadwood on April 21, 2016.

The incident surrounding the award given to Sergeant Foote was summarized in the nomination form that was read by Chief Brian Paulsen, Yankton Police Department, as follows: “On September 1, 2015 Sgt. Jason Foote and K9 Ares were called in to engage in a search for an individual involved in a domestic violence incident and attempted carjacking. During the course of the search, the suspect was witnessed moving through the community on foot. Sgt. Foote and Ares, along with Game Warden Sam Schelhaas participated in the ground search for the individual. During the search the suspect appeared out of an alley and pointed a handgun at both officers. Sgt. Foote tried unsuccessfully to get the suspect to drop his weapon. Sgt. Foote was then forced to fire his weapon in selfdefense. In doing so, he protected himself, his K-9, and friend Warden Schelhaas, as well as the other officers involved in the search and the citizens of Yankton. The suspect sustained a non-fatal bullet wound, recovered from the incident and is currently serving a 12.5 year sentence.

Because Sgt. Foote relied on his training and sound judgment, the lives of both the suspect and law enforcement were saved. His quick action placed the community out of harm’s way, truly protecting and serving the citizens of Yankton for whom he cares so deeply.

Throughout his law enforcement career, Sgt. Foote has been a model law enforcement professional. He is of the highest integrity and utilizes compassion in all of his work. Since joining our department Sgt. Foote has been a firearms instructor, citizen’s academy instructor and ethics instructor and is currently the longest serving K-9 handler in the state. He has been involved with our PTO program and serves on the Stewart Elementary Safety Committee. Sgt. Foote is a hero. Yankton is safer because of Sgt. Foote’s quick action. For this and many reasons, I am humbled by Sgt. Foote and Ares and honored to place them in the publics’ trust as law enforcement professionals.”

Left to right: Brandon Police Chief Dave Kull (SDPCA President), SD Game Fish and Parks Warden Sam Schelhaas, Yankton Police Chief Brian Paulsen (SDPCA 3rd Vice President), Yankton Police Department Sergeant Jason Foote, Jessie Foote, and Yankton City Manager Amy Nelson.