Farm Agency Aide in S. Dakota Slays His Family, Then Himself

ELK POINT, S.D. — A federal farm loan official--apparently burdened by pressure at work--shot and killed his wife and two children Wednesday, then went to his office and killed himself, police said.

Bruce Litchfield, 38, a Federal Farm Home Administration supervisor, died two hours after shooting himself in the head, officials said.

Police discovered the bodies of Litchfield’s family when they went to his home to tell them of his death, said Union County Sheriff Eugene Rasmussen.

The case is “definitely not connected to the farm crisis at all,” Rasmussen said, adding that a one-line note was found on Litchfield’s desk. He would not reveal what it said.

‘Pressure of Work’

The Rev. Marvin Ketterling, who accompanied police when they found Litchfield’s family, said he had seen the note. “It was to the effect that ‘the pressure of my work got to me,’ ” he said.

Litchfield’s family included his wife, Laura Ellen, 42; daughter, Christine, 12, and son, Allan, 9. Autopsies were scheduled.

Litchfield was alone in his office when he shot himself with a .22-caliber pistol, police said.

Several employees were nearby, including his secretary, who called for help.

Litchfield, who had worked for the agency since 1977, moved to the Elk Point office in 1984.

Ross Heupel, an aide to Rep. Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.), said Litchfield had spoken to him several times about new farm agency rules concerning troubled loans.

‘Leery of the Rules’

“He knew the rules and, I think to be honest, he was somewhat leery of the rules as well,” Heupel said.

“He was very blunt about it. He knew the system, and I think he knew the rules were not going to help the farmers. He would get kind of carried away talking about the problems and the details,” he said.

“I’m sure what happened is that he was getting pressure with the new (agency) regulations,” said an Elk Point state representative who knew Litchfield.

He also “was getting pressure trying to help farmers out,” said Roland Chicoine, “and he was kind of caught between a rock and hard place.”

“You can’t help but sit behind the desk day after day after day, listening to the hardships of agriculture, and not let it get to you.”