The Clay County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services across 414 square miles of southeastern South Dakota, covering Vermillion, Wakonda, Irene, plus the unincorporated communities of Burbank and Meckling. While Vermillion operates its own police department, the Sheriff's Office contrac...
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The Clay County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services across 414 square miles of southeastern South Dakota, covering Vermillion, Wakonda, Irene, plus the unincorporated communities of Burbank and Meckling. While Vermillion operates its own police department, the Sheriff's Office contracts with Wakonda and Irene and maintains jurisdiction over the entire county.
The staff includes the Sheriff, 8 deputies, 1 full-time administrative assistant, 7 full-time jailers, and 3 part-time jailers. One deputy serves full-time as a detective; another as the School Resource Officer.
The jail transitioned in 2021 to a short-term holdover facility, holding arrestees for up to 72 hours. Inmates requiring longer custody are housed in nearby county jails at Clay County expense.
Visitation Hours: - Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (including holidays) - Each inmate receives 30 minutes of visitation time per visiting day - Maximum 2 visitors at a time (must include parent/guardian if under 18) - All visitors must present photo ID - Call ahead to schedule appointment on first-come, first-served basis
A $42.8 million bond approved by Clay County voters in 2022 will fund a new jail and law enforcement center. Construction began in 2023 with completion expected in 2025.
The Sheriff's Office processes concealed pistol permits for South Dakota. Key state law restrictions for permit holders:
| Restriction | South Dakota Law |
|---|---|
| County courthouses | SDCL 22-14-23 (no firearms allowed) |
| School premises | SDCL 13-32-7 (elementar/secondary) |
| Snowmobiles | SDCL 32-20A-11 (unloaded/encased OK) |
| Motorcycles | SDCL 32-20-6.6 (must be on permit) |
| While intoxicated | SDCL 22-14-7 (prohibited) |
| Alcohol establishments | SDCL 23-7-8.1 (if 50%+ alcohol sales) |
| Altered serial numbers | SDCL 22-14-5 (prohibited) |
A concealed pistol permit is not required to possess a weapon in your own home, property, or place of business, or to carry an unloaded firearm in a closed vehicle compartment.
For reciprocity questions across state lines, contact the South Dakota Secretary of State at (605) 773-3537.
The office teaches D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to fifth-grade students throughout Clay County schools, including Vermillion and Wakonda. Deputy Jeff Anders is a certified DARE instructor; Deputy Kyle Huber provides a full-time School Resource Officer assignment to Vermillion and Wakonda schools.
In 2016, the Clay County Commission combined the offices of Sheriff and Coroner. The Sheriff now investigates all deaths not attended by a physician and completes death certificates as County Coroner.
Clay County Sheriff's Office 1250 Stanford St Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 677-7100 [email protected]
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