In Loving Memory of Trooper Mollie McClure “Her badge was earned, but her heart was given”
With profound sorrow and heavy hearts, we share the devastating news that Trooper Mollie McClure has passed away following an off-duty accident on Waubay Lake in South Dakota. Her sudden loss has sent ripples of grief throughout the South Dakota State Patrol, the law enforcement community, and across the many lives she touched through her service and compassion.
Trooper McClure was more than a uniform, more than a title. She was a beacon of integrity, warmth, and strength, whose passion for public safety was matched only by her deep empathy for those around her. Her career was marked by an unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the South Dakota State Patrol—to serve, to protect, and to lead with courage and care.
From the earliest days of her career, Trooper McClure stood out—not only for her competence but for her character. She played a vital role in shaping the future of the agency, mentoring academy cadets with patience and wisdom. To the new recruits, she was more than an instructor—she was a guiding light, offering encouragement, guidance, and belief in their potential when they needed it most.
Trooper McClure also served as a peer counselor, a role that defined so much of who she was. In a field where strength is often mistaken for silence, she helped her fellow troopers navigate the emotional toll of the job with compassion, discretion, and deep humanity. She was the person others turned to during the hardest of times, and she carried their stories and struggles with dignity and care.
Those who worked alongside her knew her as a pillar of professionalism, someone who led by example, never asked more than she was willing to give, and always showed up—both in uniform and in spirit. She had the rare ability to command a room without raising her voice, to calm tensions with a word, and to comfort without condition.
Outside of her professional role, Mollie was a beloved daughter, sister, friend, and neighbor. Her kindness was not something she turned on at work—it was who she was, day in and day out. She was known for her love of the outdoors, her laugh that could fill a room, and her ability to make others feel safe, seen, and supported. Her connection to her community ran deep, and she carried that sense of responsibility with her everywhere.
The accident on Waubay Lake that took her life has left all who knew her in shock and mourning. While the circumstances remain a heartbreaking reminder of life’s fragility, they do nothing to diminish the enduring impact of Trooper McClure’s presence in this world.
The South Dakota State Patrol is not just mourning the loss of a trooper—it is grieving the loss of one of its most compassionate and steady-hearted members. As the agency, her loved ones, and the community prepare to lay her to rest, tributes have poured in from across the state and beyond. Patrol vehicles will bear black bands, flags will be lowered, and moments of silence will be observed—all in honor of a life that exemplified quiet strength and fearless service.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Trooper McClure’s family, her close friends, and her fellow troopers. The grief is immeasurable, but so is the legacy she leaves behind—a legacy of empathy, service, and unwavering dedication.
Trooper Mollie McClure, your watch has ended, but your spirit will continue to guide and protect those who follow in your footsteps. You lived with courage, loved with kindness, and served with honor. You will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Trooper. We’ll carry your memory with us, always.