Dean Elliott was born in November 1967 in Mission, SD and grew up in the small farming community of Sanborn, IA. He and his wife Shawn, moved to Grand Island in 1993 where they raised three children Elizabeth, Dalton, and Colin. From an early age he was aware of the lineage of military service of his family as his father and uncle had served in the military during Korea & Vietnam.
Growing up Dean was interested in any physical activity; riding his bike, swimming, playing baseball, playing football, running track, playing golf, being involved in choir and band. Through high school, he continued to be very physically active in football, baseball, track, and golf. He also worked various farm jobs and at the local restaurant in Sanborn.
Dean enlisted in the US Army during his senior year of high school, following in his father and brother’s footsteps. Dean entered active duty in Oct. 1986 and was stationed mostly at Fort Lewis, WA with the 9th Infantry Division, training at various locations in CONUS. After active duty he enlisted in the US Army Reserves and was stationed with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Army Reserve Unit in Des Moines, IA while he attended college, got married and moved to Grand Island. During his time in the Army Reserves, he was deployed to Germany during Operation Desert Shield. He was sent to South Korea as part a training mission with this unit as well. In 1999, Dean left his military service behind him as he continued to serve his community as a police officer. Dean has been with the Grand Island Police Department since he moved to Grand Island in 1993.
