Josh Phillips
Captain Josh Phillips is a 22-year veteran of the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, currently overseeing investigations and the Sioux Falls Area Fugitive Task Force. He grew up in Minnehaha County, attending West Central High School — where a school resource officer first inspired his law-enforcement career, a role he later returned to fill at his alma mater. A graduate of the FBI National Academy (2019, Quantico), he has served as patrol deputy, detective, patrol sergeant, SWAT team member, and Crisis Negotiations Unit Commander. He lives in Hartford with his wife and three children, coaches youth basketball, and has run an AAU summer program for two decades.
Why they’re
Sensible
Phillips brings the kind of inside-out experience Minnehaha County needs as it transitions to its first new sheriff in nearly three decades — patrol deputy, detective, sergeant, SWAT, Crisis Negotiations Unit Commander, and now Captain over investigations and the Fugitive Task Force. His campaign priorities — jail recruitment and retention, ongoing training, and interagency cooperation — reflect a steward's approach to a department that already runs well. He is endorsed by retiring Sheriff Mike Milstead, who has held the seat since 1997. Twenty-plus years of youth-basketball coaching round out a candidate who keeps showing up for the community he wants to serve.
Key positions
“I believe deeply in conservative South Dakota values, respect for the Constitution, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I will use my experience to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
“We need to keep going and growing on training, it's a top priority. It's important to have an open door to learn from other agencies and about advanced technologies.”
“You can't do this by yourself — you've got to have great people working for you. And I want to keep great people in this office.”
“It all started with the impact a school resource officer had on me as a youth. I really could see the impact one could have. … Now, I want to give back and do those same things.”
Also running for
Minnehaha Co. Sheriff
Every other candidate filed for this seat, listed for transparency. Our Sensible slate reflects the full field — not just a single pick.