Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office

08/21/2026

🚨PUBLIC NOTICE: FINGERPRINT SERVICES TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE

We're currently unable to provide fingerprinting services due to an equipment issue with our fingerprint machine.

Fingerprint services will be unavailable until further notice while we work to get the machine back up and running.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. We’ll provide an update as soon as fingerprint services are available again.

08/18/2026

𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆: 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝘁𝗼-𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.𝟮𝟳 🎮🎒🚌

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

🚌 School buses have been re-enabled.
🎒 Small humans carrying backpacks have returned to the map.
🚸 School zones are once again active.
☕ Morning traffic volume has been increased.
😴 Student alertness has been reduced by approximately 63%.
🚗 Driver patience has received a significant buff.
📱 Distracted driving has been nerfed.
🛑 Passing a stopped school bus remains wildly against the rules.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆.

𝗚𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱

Speeding through a school zone? 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮. 𝗡𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗽.

Stopping for a school bus? 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪. 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿.

Putting the phone down and actually paying attention behind the wheel? 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻. 𝗡𝗼 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Scrolling TikTok while driving? 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱.

Thinking your rizz is strong enough to exempt you from traffic laws? 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗹𝘂.

Sheriff's Office personnel are advised that improper use of these terms may result in immediate demotion to NPC status.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳: An upgrade or improvement.
𝗡𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗱: Reduced in power or effectiveness.
𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮: Not a good look.
𝗡𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗽: Seriously.
𝗪: A win. Good.
𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗺𝗮: We have been assured this is complimentary.
𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻: Focused. Paying attention.
𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: A distraction from the main objective.
𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Paying attention like the plot depends on you.
𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱: In trouble. Potentially quite a bit of it.
𝗥𝗶𝘇𝘇: Charisma.
𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗹𝘂: Delusional.
𝗡𝗣𝗖: Non-player character (in this context, definitely not a promotion 😉).

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Slow down.
Watch for kids.
Stop for school buses.
Put the phone away.

School is back in session starting this week across parts of Sweetwater County. Please give yourself a few extra minutes in the morning, watch for kids at crosswalks and bus stops, obey school-zone speed limits, and stop for school buses when required.

Good luck out there.

𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 15 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦.

08/10/2026

***IMPORTANT NOTICE***🚨

If you recently receive the emergency alert message below, please disregard the message.

The alert was intended for Fremont County, not Sweetwater County.

Sweetwater County did not issue the evacuation alert. Residents are safe, and no action is needed at this time.

🚨 ***IMPORTANT NOTICE***🚨

If you receive the emergency alert message below, please disregard the message.

The alert was intended for Fremont County, not Sweetwater County.

Sweetwater County did not issue the evacuation alert. Residents are safe, and no action is needed at this time.

🚦 READY • SET • GO — Know the Difference

While there is no evacuation order for Sweetwater County at this time, residents should understand the -Ready, Set, Go - evacuation terminology:

🟢 READY – Be prepared. have an emergency kit ready, keep your vehicle fueled, and know where you would go if an evacuation becomes necessary.

🟡 SET – Be prepared to leave. Conditions may be changing. Gather your family, pets, medications, important documents, and other essential items. Monitor official emergency notifications and be ready to evacuate.

🔴 GO – Evacuate immediately. Follow official evacuation instructions, use designated routes, and do not delay.

Sweetwater County Office of Emergency Management

08/07/2026

TRAVEL ADVISORY: BLACK BUTTE ROAD CLOSURE AT POINT OF ROCKS 🚨🛻

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office is advising motorists of a temporary closure of County Road #84 (Black Butte Road) at Point of Rocks next week while Union Pacific Railroad completes work on the railroad crossing.

The closure is scheduled for:

🚧 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, through 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12

Motorists who normally use Black Butte Road through Point of Rocks should plan ahead and use an alternate route during the closure.

Please allow additional travel time and use caution around the work area.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Map here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rYeibdCDgE2Jrkau6

08/05/2026

Special Prosecutor Finds Deputy’s April 20 Use of Deadly Force Lawful and Justified; No Charges Filed

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. – An independent criminal investigation and prosecutorial review of the April 20, 2026, deputy-involved shooting at the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex in Rock Springs have concluded. The special prosecutor assigned to review the incident found that Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Deputy Nathaniel Hull acted lawfully and that no criminal charges will be filed.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation, and Sarah Chavez Harkins, Carbon County Attorney serving as special prosecutor for the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office, reviewed the evidence and applicable federal and Wyoming law. She determined that Deputy Hull’s use of deadly force was constitutionally and statutorily justified.

The incident began when Rock Springs Police Department officers responded to 2152 Century Boulevard following a reported hit-and-run in the apartment complex parking lot. During the response, dispatch received information that Zander Bowlin, 18, an Arkansas native living in Rock Springs, had shot himself, was suicidal, possessed several fi****ms, and might shoot responding officers.

When officers entered the upstairs apartment to render aid, they found Bowlin in a bedroom holding a handgun to his neck. Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon before withdrawing from the apartment and beginning the evacuation of neighboring residents.

Deputy Hull arrived to assist and took a position outside the apartment building. He made verbal contact with Bowlin on the apartment’s exterior balcony. After observing that Bowlin was armed, Deputy Hull moved behind cover and repeatedly ordered Bowlin to show his hands and drop the weapon.

Bowlin continued moving between the apartment and the balcony while armed with different fi****ms. According to the investigation, Bowlin pointed fi****ms toward Deputy Hull on multiple occasions. Deputy Hull remained behind cover and did not fire during those earlier encounters.

Bowlin eventually emerged carrying an AR-platform rifle. He turned toward the area where patrol vehicles, law enforcement officers, and residents evacuating the building were located and lowered the rifle in their direction.

Deputy Hull ordered Bowlin to drop the rifle. Bowlin then turned the rifle toward Deputy Hull, who fired three rounds from his duty pistol, striking and incapacitating Bowlin.

Law enforcement officers maintained cover while a tactical team entered the apartment and secured the scene. When tactical officers reached Bowlin, they found four fi****ms on his person and in his immediate area: two handguns in his waistband, another handgun beside him, and the AR-platform rifle along the balcony railing. Multiple recovered fi****ms, including the rifle, were loaded.

Emergency medical personnel treated Bowlin and transported him to Sweetwater Memorial Hospital. He was later flown to a Salt Lake City medical facility, where he died on April 25, 2026, from injuries caused by Deputy Hull’s gunfire.

The completed investigation also clarified the nature of Bowlin’s earlier self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators did not determine whether Bowlin intended the shot to be fatal. A later medical examination found that the bullet had traveled just beneath the skin of his shoulder, caused little muscle damage, and produced a superficial wound. The injury did not incapacitate him.

The special prosecutor concluded that Bowlin’s actions created a direct and immediate threat to Deputy Hull, other officers, and members of the public who were being evacuated. She found that Deputy Hull reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury and that he used only the force necessary to stop the threat.

The review found no evidence that Deputy Hull acted with ill will, malicious intent, or any unlawful purpose. Accordingly, in her July 31, 2026, final determination, the special prosecutor declined to pursue criminal charges, bringing the prosecutorial review to a close.

“Public scrutiny is appropriate whenever a law enforcement officer uses deadly force,” Sheriff Rich Fischer said. “To ensure that scrutiny, DCI investigated this incident, and an outside prosecutor reviewed the evidence. The complete record shows that Deputy Hull took cover, communicated what he was observing, repeatedly ordered Bowlin to drop his weapons, and fired only after Bowlin lowered a rifle toward officers and residents and then turned it toward Deputy Hull.”

“Two things can be true at the same time: any loss of human life is tragic, and we are also profoundly grateful that no one else was injured,” Fischer continued. “There are moments in this profession when every available option carries grave consequences, yet an officer must still make a decision in seconds. These findings confirm that Deputy Hull acted lawfully to stop an immediate threat to human life. We appreciate DCI and Special Prosecutor Harkins for their thorough and impartial work, and we appreciate the community’s patience while that work was completed.”

The DCI investigative file and special prosecutor’s final determination are maintained by their respective agencies, not the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office. Requests for access should be directed to the appropriate public records custodian.
# # #

07/31/2026

👏 Please join us in congratulating Deputy Davila on his successful graduation from the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy's Patrol Officer Basic Course! 🎓

Over the past several months, Deputy Davila completed intensive training in Wyoming law, patrol procedures, defensive tactics, fi****ms, emergency vehicle operations, investigations, and many other core law enforcement disciplines. His graduation marks an important milestone as he prepares to continue serving the citizens of Sweetwater County.

Congratulations, Deputy Davila! ⭐️ We are proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others, and we look forward to watching your career continue to grow. Welcome back! 👮‍♂️

07/30/2026

🎡 WYOMING’S BIG SHOW IS IN FULL EFFECT!

Fair week is in full swing, and we’re enjoying the chance to see so many familiar faces. We hope everyone is having a great week, making good memories, and staying safe.

While you’re at the fair, stop by the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office booth, say hello to our crew and Safety Pup, and pick up some Sheriff’s Office swag. Don’t be a stranger! 👋⭐️

07/28/2026

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE:

We are hosting a public auction of abandoned and court-forfeited vehicles on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office at 50140B US Highway 191 South in Rock Springs.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m., and bidding begins at 10 a.m.

The following vehicles are up for auction:

- 1978 Midwest boat trailer (no VIN; starting bid of $50)
- 1978 Searay cuddy cabin boat (starting bid of $50)
- 2008 Chrysler Town & Country (starting bid of $100)
- 1998 Dodge Caravan (starting bid of $100)
- 2005 Chrysler Sebring (starting bid of $100)
- 2008 Pontiac G6 (starting bid of $300)

If you have any questions before next Tuesday's auction, please call Kelly at (307) 872-3866.

Our agency occasionally sells abandoned property. After attempting to locate the original owner(s), we post notices in public places and publish them in newspapers before auctioning the items to the public, as required by Wyoming law.

We have no history on any of these vehicles, and most of the auctioned vehicles do not have keys. All vehicles are auctioned as-is, with no warranties expressed or implied. We reserve the right to reject any or all bids.

Must pick up auctioned vehicle by Friday, August 7, 2026, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; cash-only payment.

07/24/2026

🚧 RED DESERT ROUND-UP RODEO PARADE TRAFFIC ADVISORY – ROAD CLOSURES TOMORROW MORNING 🚧

The Rock Springs Police Department would like to remind the community that the parade begins at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, roads along the parade route will begin closing at approximately 9:45 a.m. Please plan ahead, as traffic delays and temporary detours should be expected in the downtown area.

A few important reminders:

‼️ Please do not park along the parade route. Parked vehicles can interfere with larger parade floats and emergency access, making it difficult for the parade to safely navigate the route.

⚠️ If you need to travel through the area tomorrow morning, consider using alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion and road closures.

📢 Please follow the directions of officers and traffic control personnel throughout the event.

The map below shows the parade route and the streets that will be affected by the temporary closures.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to provide a safe and enjoyable event for everyone. We look forward to seeing the community come out and enjoy the parade!

07/22/2026

A Flood Watch remains in effect from today, Tuesday, July 21, through Wednesday night, July 22.

Yellowstone National Park-Absaroka Mountains-Cody Foothills-North
Bighorn Basin-Southwest Bighorn Basin-Southeast Bighorn Basin-Owl
Creek and Bridger Mountains-Bighorn Mountains West-Bighorn
Mountains Southeast-Northeast Johnson County-Southeast Johnson
County-Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains-Jackson Hole-Wind River
Mountains West-Wind River Mountains East-Upper Wind River Basin-
Wind River Basin-Lander Foothills-Green Mountains and Rattlesnake
Range-Natrona County Lower Elevations-Casper Mountain-Star Valley-
Salt River and Wyoming Ranges-Upper Green River Basin Foothills-
Upper Green River Basin-South Lincoln County-Rock Springs and
Green River-Flaming Gorge-East Sweetwater County-
Including the cities of Jackson, Kemmerer, Cokeville, Big Piney,
Shoshoni, Kaycee, Star Valley Ranch, Ten Sleep, Old Faithful,
Greybull, Lander, Powell, Riverton, Casper, Cody, Alpine, Meeteetse,
Thayne, Dubois, Buffalo, Clark, Jeffrey City, Rock Springs, Mammoth,
Afton, Worland, La Barge, Lovell, Farson, Lake, Shell, Wamsutter,
Basin, Green River, Thermopolis, and Pinedale

157 AM MDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON MDT TODAY THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY
NIGHT...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northwest, south
central, southwest, and west central Wyoming, including the
following areas, in central Wyoming, Casper Mountain, Green
Mountains and Rattlesnake Range, Lander Foothills, Natrona County
Lower Elevations, Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains, Southwest
Bighorn Basin, Upper Wind River Basin, Wind River Basin, Wind River
Mountains East and Wind River Mountains West. In north central
Wyoming, Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Bighorn Mountains West,
Northeast Johnson County, Southeast Bighorn Basin and Southeast
Johnson County. In northwest Wyoming, Absaroka Mountains, Cody
Foothills, Jackson Hole, North Bighorn Basin, Teton and Gros Ventre
Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. In south central Wyoming,
East Sweetwater County, Flaming Gorge and Rock Springs and Green
River. In southwest Wyoming, South Lincoln County. In west central
Wyoming, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, Star Valley, Upper Green
River Basin and Upper Green River Basin Foothills.

* WHEN...From noon MDT today through late Wednesday night. The most
likely period of possible flooding looks to be Wednesday afternoon
through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Slow moving showers and thunderstorms can bring locally heavy
rainfall that could lead to flooding.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.