Moody County remembers Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, prepares for Memorial Week in D.C.

The past year is one that Moody County Sheriff Troy Wellman and his staff will never forget. In fact, it is a year they along with so many others are still working to process.
On Feb. 2, 2024, their beloved colleague, Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok, died after allegedly being struck by a vehicle during a high-speed chase down Highway 34.
The man accused in his death, Joseph J. Hoek of Sioux Falls, has yet to stand trial, leaving an open wound for the department and the community. Few law enforcement offices face such tragic losses, let alone recover from them.
To honor Proroks sacrifice and provide his family and colleagues with the support needed to move forward, the Moody County law enforcement team plans to attend Law Enforcement Memorial Week in Washington, D.C., from May 11-17, 2025.
Having now been through two Line of Duty Deaths here at the county, I feel that it is important for all of us to go to D.C. to use that as part of our healing process, coping skills, and a sense of closure, said Sheriff Wellman.
While county funds will cover part of the trip, the sheriffs office is working to raise additional funds to support travel for the entire team. Twelve representatives from the county including every deputy, most dispatchers, retired dispatcher Leetha Petersen, Chaplain Alan Blankenfeld, and Proroks family plan to attend.
To help with expenses, the department has scheduled three Walking Taco Feeds in January during local basketball doubleheaders. Events will take place in Chester on Jan. 16, Colman-Egan on Jan. 17, and Flandreau on Jan. 24, from 58 p.m. Each fundraiser will include a chuck-a-duck contest.
For those unable to attend the fundraisers, a dedicated account for donations has been set up at First National Bank.
Losing Ken has been difficult on many levels, said Wellman.
When Ken said he would take care of something, the rest of us wouldnt have to give it another thought.
Prorok handled all Civil Process duties and managed the associated paperwork and bookkeeping. Since his passing, the office has had to fill this gap while also appointing and training a new 911 coordinator.
It left a void in the chain of command, not to mention all the knowledge and wisdom his diverse background brought to the office, Wellman said. Beyond his expertise, Wellman added that Prorok was a trusted sounding board for staff, both professionally and personally.
As the department prepares for the trip, coverage for law enforcement and dispatch duties in Moody County will be handled by surrounding counties, dispatch agencies, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Meanwhile, the trial for Hoek, who is facing the death penalty, is scheduled to begin on May 19, just days after the memorial event.
Sheriff Wellman hopes the trip to Washington, D.C., provides a meaningful step toward healing for everyone touched by Proroks life and work.