Alexis Buysee earns Officer of the Year distinction
Anything men can do, this woman can do better. In this case — no disrespect to the men — significantly better.
This particular woman is Alexis Buysse, a 2013 graduate of Tracy Area High School who was recently named the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Association Officer of the Year, an honor that recognizes exceptional service, leadership, and commitment to community policing.
“It was pretty shocking,” Buysse said of the award. “My chief and my assistant chief pulled me into their office, which is always a little bit nerve-wracking, and they told me to shut the door … then they both had this huge smile on their faces; they told me and I was just in shock that I was even nominated for it, let alone selected.” Buysse’s work is touted as exemplifying the highest ideals of policing, service, compassion, and community partnership; her recognition at the state level highlights the daily positive impact she makes in her hometown of Watertown, SD. Buysse went to college at Lake Area Tech in Watertown intending on earning a degree in physical therapy. But she wasn’t a fan
‘
I think mental health is super important in everybody’s life. In law enforcement, specifically, a lot of times people don’t really know where to turn.
— 2013 TAHS GRADUATE ALEXIS BUYSSE and slammed the brakes on that plan. She earned her law enforcement degree instead and was actually hired as a police officer by the Watertown Police Department in 2016, before she graduated.
“Lake Area was starting a law enforcement program and for some reason, it was like, ‘Yep, that is something I want to do,’” Buysse said. “I wanted to be a police officer, so I started the application process for that.”
In 2021, Buysse became the City’s department’s mental health officer, where she has played a pivotal role in transforming how the department responds to individuals in crisis.
Selected for the position early in her career, she helped build the program from the ground up, shifting the focus toward proactive intervention, relationship-building, and long-term support. Through her efforts, Buysse has been touted for developing strong partnerships with local mental health providers, social services, schools, and court systems, ensuring individuals receive the resources they need. Her work includes conducting follow-ups on mental health-related calls, connecting individuals to services, and strengthening trust between law enforcement and the community.
“I think mental health is super important in everybody’s life,” Buysse said. “In law enforcement, specifically, a lot of times people don’t really know where to turn, where to go; they end up dealing with the law; having some knowledge and resources … hopefully they don’t end up in jail, or if they already are in jail, they don’t end up in that revolving door.”
The results of Buysse’s approach are hard to miss.
According to the City of Watertown website, within a year of implementation of the mental health program, the number of suicides in the city dropped dramatically, from 12 annually to three, demonstrating the life-saving impact of early intervention and collaborative care. In 2025, Buysse further advanced the program by helping implement a co-response model, partnering with a social worker to address addiction and mental health challenges.
She also helped launch the “Are You OK?” campaign, encouraging daily mental health check-ins across the community, and introduced “Blue,” a mascot dog designed to build connections with youth.
Watertown Police Chief Tim Toomey presented Buysse with her award. The moment was a proud one, not only for Buysse, but for the entire department and community she serves. Toomey recognized her unwavering dedication, compassion, and innovation, noting that her work represents the very best of modern policing.
“Officer Buysse’s impact goes far beyond traditional law enforcement,” said Toomey. “She has built relationships, saved lives, and created a model that others can follow. This recognition is incredibly well deserved, and we are extremely proud of her.”
Buysse has indeed found a comfortable home in Watertown, and, of course, with its police department. She was involved in the D.A.R.E. program before it dissolved. She said being able to branch out into those other opportunities within law enforcement has been a blessing.
“That has been great,” she said. “(The police department) is not too big that I don’t know everybody I work with. Our community respects law enforcement as a whole. Yes, there’s crime, but overall, it’s a safe community.”
