HURON — Representatives from South Dakota Salutes were on hand Friday at Huron’s north fire station, to present a $10,000 check toward funeral expenses to the family of recently-deceased Cavour fire chief Josh Kogel.

Gene Loos, event co-chair of South Dakota Salutes, presented background on South Dakota Salutes, stating that the organization was formed in 2016 to recognize the thousands of first responders and military personnel in the state that keep the state’s resident’s safe and protected.

Loos explained that Kogel was part of a firefighting crew in the state that is 8,000 members strong, many of whom are volunteer firefighters who drop everything at a call and leave their work and their families to respond to a call.

The organization hosts an annual shooting competition, among other fundraising events, to raise money to support families of those who have been lost in the line of duty. Since the organization began in 2016, Loos states that this is the seventh first responder that has received funds through the organization’s loss of life fund.

The organization also provides funding for personal protective equipment (PPE) for many small community first responders as well as lobbying for additional state funding, such as the 2023 bill passed by the South Dakota legislature to provide state funds for PPE needs across the state.

South Dakota Salutes representative Mike Milstead presented a check for $10,000 to Josh’s mother, Lorraine Marone. Nelson noted that the money was intended to cover funeral expenses to ease the burden on families in the moments immediately after loss.

Sierra Kogel, Josh’s daughter, shared that her father loved being a firefighter, showing off a picture of the Cavour department when Josh joined at age 18. She also relayed that he consistently applied his humor and wit to the job while answering many Huron fire calls to assist the Huron department.

South Dakota Salutes will hold their annual two-day shooting event on Sept. 25-26 to raise funding for programs such as their loss of life fund. The event will be held at Hunters Pointe Shooting Complex in Humboldt and hold a rifle tournament, sporting clays team tourney, and a pistol tournament. First responders are encouraged to participate, and it is at no cost to first responders to participate or to attend as a spectator.