Man charged with first-degree murder in death of Moody Co. Deputy

A Sioux Falls man is facing a murder charge in the death of a Moody County deputy sheriff.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that 51-year-old Joseph Gene Hoek has been charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Eluding in the death of Moody County Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok.

It happened Friday afternoon as the result of a high speed chase. Jackley says Prorock was placing spike strips on the highway. According to Jackley, an eyewitness saw Hoek swerve to hit Prorok. The witness says it appeared to be intentional . Prorok was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hoek made his first initial court appearance Monday in the Moody County Courthouse in Flandreau. He is being held without bond.

The First Degree murder charge is a class A felony carries a maximum sentence of death or life without parole. Jackley says he needs to talk to those impacted before any decision is made on whether to pursue capital punishment.

February 6, 2024