The Yankton Sioux Tribal Police Department work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to protect and serve the citizens of the Yankton Sioux Tribal Reservation. These law enforcement officers put in a lot of dedication and hard work in order to keep the residents of the reservation safe. The department currently has five members including Chief of Police, Edwin Young Sr., Charles Smith, John Sully, Jr., Hayden Medicine Horn and Sagon Ulrich. As it is National Police Officer week starting May 15th through the 21st, it is a time to recognize, honor and support the local law enforcement agencies that put their lives on the line every time they put on their uniform and leave their homes to serve the community.

Chief of Police Edwin Young Sr.

Edwin Young Sr. has been working for the Yankton Sioux Tribal Police Department for almost eight years. Before being promoted to Chief of Police, Young served as a police officer and a criminal investigator. Young knew he wanted to be a part of law enforcement from a young age, as he grew up in a law enforcement family and has continued the legacy. What Young enjoys about his job is working with fellow officers from his own agency and other agencies. He also enjoys working for the people in the communities that he serves. The most challenging part of his job is limited staffing. Young would like it if his department was able to be more proactive, but with limited staffing the department is forced to be more reactive than proactive. Young has been a part of law enforcement since 1996 and hopes to continue to serve for as long as he is able. When Young is not busy serving and protecting the community, he enjoys home improvements and working on his vehicles.

Hayden Medicine Horn

Hayden Medicine Horn has been a part of the Yankton Sioux Tribal Police team for the last three months. He previously worked as a Fish and Game Conservation Officer before switching to law enforcement. Medicine Horn wanted to take on the challenges of law enforcement because he enjoys helping people and being able to potentially make a difference in others’ lives. The best part of being in law enforcement for Medicine Horn is meeting new people and getting to help the department form positive public relations with the community. The most challenging aspect of the job would be the demanding nature and high pressure that is naturally built into the position. Engaging in any and all outdoor activities is what Medicine Horn enjoys doing when he is not busy working for the Yankton Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement.

Sagon Ulrich

For the past six months, Sagon Ulrich has been an officer of the Yankton Sioux Tribal Law Enforcement. He chose to become an officer because he wanted to be able to make a difference and be involved in the community. What Ulrich has enjoyed so far in his job is being able to learn lots of new procedures and information. When Ulrich is not busy working for the department, he enjoys playing basketball.

Thank you, Chief of Police Young, Officers Smith, Sully, Medicine Horn and Ulrich, for your hard work and dedication to the local communities that you serve and protect.