Funeral Services Scheduled for Mechels

Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009

A 19-year-old Marion man was expected to make his first court appearance Monday in Parker on a charge he shot and killed former Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Mechels.

Mechels was a Turner County deputy at the time of his death.

Authorities say the deputy was checking the well-being of Ethan Johns Sunday morning at a farmhouse five miles west of Marion when Johns shot Mechels. Johns called 911 and reported the shooting and then took off. He surrendered hours later in Sioux Falls.

Mechels was married. He and his wife Jamie had two children; a 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. Mechels had previously worked law enforcement in Lake and Kingsbury counties before joining the Turner County Sheriff's Department last fall. Mechels still lived in Madison but stayed with his parents in Chancellor the days he was on duty.

Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Dakota Prairie Play House. The family will be present Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Weiland Funeral Chapel.

A memorial fund has been setup to help the family. People are encouraged to donate to the account at any Wells Fargo location.