08/06/2026
08.05.2026
Meade County South Dakota
Good Morning Meade County!
It's the hump day before the festivities officially begin.
For many of us at the Meade County Sheriff's Office, the "Rally Schedule" has officially started. That means you'll likely notice our deputies partnered up with law enforcement officers from all over South Dakota. We have extra personnel joining us from agencies across the state, all here to help keep everyone safe...and hopefully earn their own toaster in the process.
Today, we'd like to shine a light on the people who rarely get the recognition they deserve.
Everyone sees the deputies, patrol cars, and flashing lights. What they don't see is the mountain of work happening behind the scenes. There are staff members making sure reports get to the courthouse correctly and on time. There are jail cooks planning and preparing meals for the increased population in our "exclusive gated community". There are people making sure patrol vehicles are fueled, stocked, repaired, and ready for another round of 12-hour shifts. There are countless administrative tasks that have to happen every single day so the rest of us can do our jobs.
These behind-the-scenes warriors are the reason this machine keeps rolling.
To Teresa, Julie, Carissa, Susan, Brooke, and everyone else working behind the curtain...thank you. You are the glue that holds this operation together, and we appreciate every one of you.
Speaking of teamwork...
One of the biggest reasons we're successful during significant events is the incredible cooperation between agencies and our ability to talk to each other in the field. Pictured below are radios generously loaned to us by the State Radio Office in Pierre. These radios will be issued to our additional personnel and to our partners at the Summerset Police Department so everyone can communicate seamlessly as call volumes increase.
The technical work to seamlessly integrate radio channels with LTE signals and Wi-Fi is something well beyond the technical albitites of this guy. The State provides the technical expertise to make this happen.
Keeping all of the law enforcement officers connected isn't glamorous, but it's absolutely essential. Trent and the entire State Radio team have been outstanding partners, and we're grateful for everything they've done to improve communications throughout the Rally.
Now for today's safety tip...
Imagine you're buying a dozen eggs.
You put all twelve eggs on the checkout conveyor together because...well...they're eggs.
Motorcycles, however, are not eggs.
When twelve motorcycles roll up to a stop sign together, all twelve do not magically get to go through because they're "with the group." The first two bikes stop and proceed. The next two bikes stop and proceed. Repeat as necessary until everyone has had their turn.
Contrary to popular Rally folklore, there is no "buddy system exemption" hidden somewhere in South Dakota traffic law.
The good news? With Rally traffic, you'll be reunited with your riding buddies in approximately 15 seconds. Nobody is getting left behind.
So don't be an egg.
And while we're talking about stops...you don't need to plant both feet on the pavement to make it count. One foot down is perfectly fine. We know the other one is usually covering the brake.
Just...stop, please!
Finally, for everyone driving the four-wheeled variety—yes, we know motorcycle riders refer to them as "cages"—remember that tomorrow the speed limit on Interstate 90 between Rapid City and Sturgis drops to 65 mph. Please adjust accordingly. It's the maximum, not the minimum.
Slow down!!! Our deputies will be out on the interstate, and we will issue tickets for speeding, that is if our friends at the SD Highway Patrol don't get you first. No joke, those dudes will write their own mother!
Have a great Wednesday, be patient with each other, show some grace, and let's kick off Rally week safely.
Be Safe Meade County!
