PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has appointed Bill Grode of Rapid City to the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles.
 
Grode is a retired FBI special agent. He served with the bureau from 1983-2006. Previously, he was a police officer for a decade, including 1979-1983 with the Sioux Falls Police Department. His investigative specialties include serial crimes, child sexual predators, domestic terrorism and foreign counterintelligence.
 
“Bill Grode has a wealth of law enforcement experience,” Gov. Daugaard said. “That expertise will prove invaluable on the Board of Pardons and Paroles as it deals with inmate clemency cases, commutation requests and parole policies.”
 
Since retiring from the FBI, Grode has taught police and criminal justices courses, conducted background investigations and done security analysis. Grode has a bachelor’s degree in Police Science and Administration.
 
He succeeds James P. Smith of Pierre, who has served on the nine-member Board of Pardons and Paroles since 2008.
 
Grode’s appointment, which is subject to state Senate confirmation, will be effective Feb. 18.