Deputy put on leave

Custer County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Keale has been placed on paid administrative leave by Custer County Sheriff Rick Wheeler, pending the result of an investigation of an incident that happened between Keale and a downtown business employee June 20.

Keale was patrolling downtown when the incident occurred in front of the Bankrupt Store in the 500 block of Mount Rushmore Road.

Wheeler said an outside agency, the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), was contacted to conduct the investigation, which is standard when it comes to investigating matters within a local department. Wheeler added he could not comment on the incident until the investigation is complete.

“At this time, I do not feel it is fair to the deputy or the person involved to comment without the investigation report in my hands,” he said. “I’m aware an issue has arisen. It is a personnel matter and I am waiting for the (DCI) report to come back.”