A Wyoming police officer was killed Tuesday when he was shot when he was trying to serve a trespass warning.
Sheridan Police Sgt. Nevada Krinkee was shot by a suspect—later identified as William Lowery, 46—near an intersection, the Cowboy State Daily reports. Krinkee was rushed to the hospital, where he later died, according to The Associated Press.
Following the shooting, Lowery fled to a home a few blocks away and barricaded himself inside with a rifle and a shotgun. A standoff ensued involving Sheridan police, Sheridan County deputies and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers, with a Gillette Police SWAT unit deploying gas. Shots were fired by Lowery, but no one was injured, and the standoff was still ongoing as late as Tuesday night.
"The entire department is shocked and saddened by this senseless act and appreciate all the thoughts and prayers from our community," wrote Chief Travis Koltiska in a news release, per KTVQ-TV.
Krinkee had been with the department for just over six years. He also served with the U.S. Army before that.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Police Sergeant Nevada Krinkee, who was killed in the line of duty while selflessly serving our community," stated Mayor Rich Bridger in a news release. "His loss serves as a solemn and heartbreaking reminder of the risks our law enforcement officers face every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Krinkee’s family, loved ones, the Sheridan Police Department, and other first responders during this difficult time."
The line-of-duty death is the first for the department and the first in the state since 1997 when a Wyoming Department of Corrections officer was killed at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. Cpl. Wayne Martinez was fatally stabbed by three inmates during an escape attempt.
The shooting has been turned over to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.
