RAPID CITY | Melvin A. "Mel" Larson died Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House after a short battle with lung cancer. Mel was born June 24, 1937, to August and Gladys (Miller) Larson in Rapid City. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1955. Mel ran a delivery service and served in the South Dakota National Guard before becoming a deputy for the Pennington County Sheriff's Office in 1961. As a deputy, Mel received the Rapid City Medal of Valor in 1970. He successfully ran for Sheriff of Pennington County in 1972. He served as Sheriff from 1973 to 1982. In 1983, Mel received honors from the South Dakota Peace Officers Association for 22 years of Dedicated Service in Law Enforcement. In 1978, he graduated from the Western College of Auctioneering in Billing, MT. He owned Larson Auctioneering and was a co-auctioneer for McFarland Auction & Realty and Bradeen Real Estate & Auctions. Mel was inducted into the South Dakota Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Mel owned Discount Ammo Cache, worked for the Auto Center in Hill City and most recently was an inspector for Quiktrak Equipment Services. Mel was a devoted member of Trinity and Atonement Lutheran churches. At Trinity, Mel auctioned off the deserts at an annual fundraiser. At Atonement, Mel worked as the "host" at the annual turkey supper. Mel's faith was very strong and he enjoyed spending time at church with his children and their families. Mel loved to play cribbage with his extended families at the Johnson Siding General Store and the Sugar Shack. Mel is survived by his children, Lisa (Jason) Koppmann, Rapid City, Kristy (Aaron) Larson-Eckert, Summerset, and Rocky (Jen) Larson, Tucson, AZ; stepdaughter, Lynae Benham, Spearfish; brother-in-law, Hal Dary, Rapid City; nine grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and numerous nephews. Mel was preceded in death by his father, August Larson; his mother, Gladys Larson; brother, Laverne "Teat" Larson; sisters, Venetta "Neat" Yahne and Ramona "Darlene" Dary; sister-in-law, Jean Larson; and brother-in-law, Elvin Yahne. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 21, at Atonement Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at Pine Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with honors provided by the Pennington County Sheriff's Honor Guard. Memorials have been established to the South Dakota Peace Officers Association and the South Dakota Auctioneers Association.