Longtime Sheriff Dan Limoges Passes Away Unexpectedly

By Randy Dockendorf, Vermillion Plain Talk

ELK POINT — For nearly four decades, Dan Limoges dedicated himself to Union County law enforcement, with the last 33 years as sheriff.

During that time, Limoges worked with high-profile cases for the county in the extreme southeast corner of South Dakota. Those experiences ranged from decades-old cold cases to three Missouri River drownings in as many years.

Limoges became well-known far beyond Union County. He worked with multiple law enforcement agencies, and he served as the South Dakota Sheriff’s Association president in 2005.

His lifetime of service has now ended, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges,” the department posted Tuesday on its Facebook page.

Limoges, 64, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home, according to his obituary.

He started in law enforcement in 1985 as a patrol officer for the Alcester Police Department until he accepted a position with the Union County Sheriff’s office in 1989.

Limoges was elected to his first term as sheriff in 1991 and had been consecutively re-elected sheriff ever since. During his tenure as sheriff, Limoges oversaw 10 full-time deputies, the Union County Jail and the 911 Communications Center.

“Sheriff Limoges was well known within the community and was deeply committed to providing quality and professional law enforcement services to the citizens of Union County,” the Facebook post said.

“Sheriff Limoges will be greatly missed,” the post added.

Cold cases

Area law enforcement officers shared the same sentiment Tuesday with the Press & Dakotan.

Serving in neighboring Clay County, Sheriff Andy Howe worked with Limoges starting in the 1980s.

“I worked with Dan my entire career here. He was an officer at the Alcester Police Department when I was a jailer here at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office (in Vermillion),” Howe said. “He was appointed Union County Sheriff in 1989 and I came to know him personally when I became a deputy sheriff (in Clay County) in 1991.”

Limoges served nearly an entire career in an office known for its stress, danger and inevitable angering of some parties.

“It’s hard to imagine longevity like that,” Howe said. “There are a few in South Dakota now who have been sheriff as long, but Dan certainly is one of the longest-serving sheriffs that South Dakota has had.”

While serving in a rural county of nearly 17,000 residents, Limoge’s career included cases that drew national attention.

Howe listed some of the top incidents. In one of the first ones, they worked together on a 1991 case involving a kidnapping and attempted murder.

Limoges also worked with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on a 43-year-old cold case.

On May 29, 1971, two Vermillion High School girls went missing en route to a party near a gravel pit in Union County. A suspect, already serving 225 years in prison for rape, kidnapping and burglary, was indicted in 2007 on murder and kidnapping charges in the girls’ disappearance. However, authorities dropped the murder charges when they learned a fellow inmate, acting as an informant, lied about the suspect’s confession.

In 2014, years of Brule Creek flooding followed by drought resulted in the discovery of the girls’ submerged vehicle rising into view for authorities’ discovery. The gear shift was in third gear, the lights were still on and the keys remained in the ignition which was switched on.

The girls’ remains, along with some personal items, were found inside the car. Authorities determined their car went off the gravel road and into the creek. As a result, their deaths were ruled an accident and not foul play.

However, that may not have been Limoges’ largest or strangest case, Howe told the Press & Dakotan.

“Maybe the biggest event he had was the case involving a baby that was thrown into the trash,” Howe said. “Thanks to Dan’s diligence and determination, the baby’s body was recovered in a Nebraska landfill. Dan kept that search going until the baby was found.”

Howe considered the late sheriff as more than a fellow colleague.

“I really enjoyed Dan. He was a good friend and a good person to collaborate with on (the) operation of our agencies. We spoke often, comparing notes on problems we encountered, and we helped each other often with policy decisions or investigative matters,” Howe said.

Finding support

While known to veteran law enforcement officers, Limoges also helped young people enter the profession.

Yankton County Sheriff Preston Crissey, 37, grew up in Beresford, in northern Union County, and knew Limoges his entire life.

“It’s a small county, and Dan knew a lot of people. He knew my family ever since I was a little shaver,” Crissey said with a chuckle. “He has just been that stature of a figure in Union County for so long.”

After entering law enforcement in 2010, Crissey got to better know Limoges, who served as Crissey’s mentor and supporter in law enforcement.

“I have had conversations with Dan since I took office (as sheriff) and just being in law enforcement before becoming sheriff,” Crissey said. “It was really good to hear from him. He would say, ‘I’m so proud of you, seeing how far you have come and what you have done.’ He was really supportive after I got elected. We had really good chats.”

When he did face an election opponent, Limoges won by large margins, Crissey said.

“Dan had about another three years on this term,” Crissey said. “When I was talking with him, he talked about possibly running for another (four-year) term after this one.”

Facing tragedy

During his career, Limoges worked with a variety of agencies. Bryant Jackson, now the police chief at the University of South Dakota, previously worked with Limoges in another capacity.

“As a volunteer member of Yankton County Search and Rescue, I had the opportunity to interact with Sheriff Limoges over the years during tragic incidents that occurred on the Missouri River,” Jackson said.

“Sheriff Limoges was always grateful for the assistance and was a pleasure to work with. (He) would ensure the search and rescue team had any needed support or resources from Union County and his office.”

Jackson recalled those experiences and the manner in which Limoges handled such tragedies.

“Dan’s nearly 40 years of law enforcement service is commendable, and he was indeed a testament to the profession,” Jackson said. “His experience and leadership will be missed.”

Burbank Beach, west of Elk Point, provides a popular spot for swimmers, particularly nearby college students. The beach also carries risks, leading to drownings.

Limoges indicated the Missouri River drownings, including three in three years, had become increasingly difficult.

With the string of drownings, Limoges discussed the need for changes to prevent future tragedies in the rushing water, he said in a 2017 KELO interview.

“I don’t want to have to call another family member and give them the news that I gave the father today. I don’t want to do that no more,” he told the station.

Despite such gut-wrenching moments, Limoges appeared ready to serve in office until the end of his life, Howe said.

“It seemed like (Dan) would never retire, so I really felt that he would always be there during my career, start to finish,” he said. “Now he’s gone, and I will miss him very much.”

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A prayer service for Limoges will take place Saturday, Feb. 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Kober Funeral Home in Elk Point, South Dakota. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. at Elk Point Jefferson School.

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Randy Dockendorf is the regional editor of the Yankton Press & Dakotan. He also reports for the Vermillion Plain Talk. Follow him @RDockendorf on Twitter (X).

This story is reprinted with permission from the Vermillion Plain Talk.