South Dakota Department of Corrections, South Dakota
End of Watch: Friday, March 6, 1936
Age: 72
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 6, 1936
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Warden Eugene Reiley was shot and killed after being taken hostage during a prison escape from the South Dakota State Prison in Sioux Falls. An inmate's brother smuggled two guns into the prison and broke the brother and another inmate out. Before fleeing the prison the suspects raided the armory, stole several guns and took Warden Reiley hostage.
They were intercepted by other officers several miles from the prison and in the exchange of gunfire one of the inmates and Warden Reiley were killed. A second inmate and a police officer were also wounded.
Warden Reiley was survived by his wife and four children.