WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) spoke on the Senate floor during National Police Week to honor the legacy of Sergeant Nevada Krinkee of the Sheridan Police Department.
Sergeant Krinkee tragically died in the line of duty in Sheridan, Wyoming, on February 13, 2024.
Senator Barrasso’s Remarks:
“I rise today during Police Week to pay tribute to Sergeant Nevada Krinkee, member of the police force in Sheridan, Wyoming.
“Sergeant Krinkee was a beloved officer in Sheridan. He was well-known for his selflessness. His colleagues would tell you he ‘always put other people first.’
“His death in February of this year in the line of duty is absolutely tragic. It shook our state.
“Sergeant Krinkee is the first officer in Wyoming since 1997 – the first one this century – to die by homicide in the line of duty.
“He is the first line of duty death in the history of the Sheridan Police Department.
“Sergeant Krinkee made the ultimate sacrifice for the community he loved and swore to protect. He was only 33 years old.
“In March, I attended his funeral in Sheridan, Wyoming. It was so large they had to move it to the community college auditorium.
“What moved me was the outpouring of folks from all around the community – as well as the state, as well as the country.
“They were there to honor Sergeant Krinkee, but also to support his wife, Karla, and their young daughter, Bella.
“More than 1,800 people attended in the community of Sheridan, Wyoming. They flooded in from across Wyoming and from across the country.
“Many of them who were there to mourn his death and honor his family had never actually met Sergeant Krinkee.
“It was the largest single event in Sheridan, Wyoming in 40 years. Forty years ago, Queen Elizabeth visited Wyoming and had a similarly sized turn-out.
“Law enforcement officers traveled from every corner of our state. They came from tiny towns and also from big cities across the West.
“All came to pay their respects to the man and to their brother in uniform.
“As police cars escorted the family to the memorial service, citizens of Sheridan lined the streets of the community – four deep – waving American flags. Absolutely beautiful to behold.
“One of the newspaper reporters asked a man from Wyoming who had driven over 100 miles to be there, why he came that far to attend the funeral. After all, this was someone who had never met or heard of Sergeant Krinkee before he had been killed.
“He responded, ‘I stand for those who have stood for us, and I will until the day I die.’
“That says a lot about the people of Wyoming through and through.
“One of the greatest blessings of our great nation is the men and women of law enforcement.
“Police officers have one of the most dangerous and demanding jobs in our nation. And they do it with competence and compassion.
“Today, officers deal with dangerous criminals. They often do this in the face of continuous criticism. It is alarming.
“Police officers across the country are coming under attacks from criminals and the soft-on-crime politicians who coddle them.
“Sadly, more police officers have been killed or injured by gunfire in the line of duty in 2023 than ever before.
“Politicians who support criminals rather than police and demonize and defund the police hold responsibility.
“The police, as a result, are demoralized and endangered.
“We also see violent crime in America at a record high. Compared to 2019, murders are up 17 percent. Aggravated assaults are up 8 percent.
“Let me be clear: Defunding the Police has made our communities less safe. For police officers, it has turned the badges on their sleeves into targets on their backs.
“Law enforcement officers love their communities enough to give their lives to protect those communities. They are incredible men and women. To me, each one is a hero and we are grateful for each and every one of them.
“They wear the badge and protect our communities despite all the risks. It is the definition of selflessness.
“To the men and women of law enforcement – you are everyday heroes, and you are among us every day.”
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