Governor Larry Rhoden’s Weekly Column: Results

Results
By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
September 5, 2025

Growing up on the ranch, you learn that results matter. No matter how much you wish it might rain or wish it wouldn’t hail, the only thing that matters is whether it did – the actual result. And it doesn’t matter whether you planned to do a task – what matters is whether you got it accomplished – the actual result.

Results matter. And I’m pretty proud of some of our recent results to keep South Dakota safe.

We recently wrapped up the first saturation patrol in the Sioux Falls area as part of Operation: Prairie Thunder. I shared the results with some members of the media, but I’d like to share them with all of you, as well.

Some questioned whether the saturation patrol would be effective, and the results speak for themselves. Our Highway Patrol troopers worked with local law enforcement to target drug hotspots around Sioux Falls over a three-day operation. Here are the results:

• 174 drug charges, including 44 felony charges;
• 44 arrests for outstanding warrants, including 24 felony warrants – that means we got 24 felons off the streets;
• 336 traffic citations, plus 256 warnings and 6 DUIs;
• Eight illegal aliens handed over to ICE (these were incidental contacts – we weren’t seeking out illegal aliens);
• Three members of gangs and cartel affiliates arrested; and
• Four absconders (whether for parole or probation) arrested.

Nice work to the fifteen Highway Patrol troopers who surged to Sioux Falls for the operation and achieved those incredible results!

I also want to take the opportunity to say “thank you” to a woman who focused on results throughout her entire time as a leader of one of our state agencies. Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko recently announced that she’ll be stepping down from her role in October. Over her three-and-a-half years in the job, she accomplished some pretty great things for the state.

I’d like to share just a few of the many results she achieved during her tenure:

• Raised pay for correctional officers by 43% and reduced officer vacancies from 36% down to 3%;
• Upgraded equipment, both for our correctional officers and for security at our prison facilities;
• Improved policies and trainings to promote staff security;
• Improved inmate health programs, including curing over 300 offenders with Hepatitis C;
• Reduced escapes from our prisons from 41 to just 1 in just three years;
• Started construction of a new women’s prison in Rapid City, which is ahead of schedule.

I’m sure I’m leaving some out, but you get the point – her positive results were many and widely varied. Thank you, Kellie. I look forward to seeing the results that you accomplish in your next role!

I’m going to continue focusing on delivering results to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free. If there are any particular results you would like to see, please do not hesitate to let me know!

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