In 1986, the Wyoming Peace Officers Memorial (WPOM) was built to honor those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The site for the memorial is the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. The Academy has long been only one partner in the group of associations who have an interest and responsibility for the memorial care and upkeep. Now eighteen years later, the memorial is being updated. The Academy’s never-ending commitment and passion led to the ability to include the memorial upkeep in the Academy reconstruction efforts.  

The memorial reconstruction includes rebuilding the brick wall behind the memorial stone. Years of poorly designed drainage has eroded the mortar and the brick to the point the bricks needed to be replaced. The old lighting, one of which was broken, was removed from both sides of the memorial wings, to allow for the new concrete capstone installation. The power was then rerouted to yard poles that will support the new lights. Landscaping changes included a three-foot area surrounding the memorial wall that was stripped of grass and replaced by new pavers. This will allow the area to drain better, as well as enhance its appearance. The WPOM Committee decided to take this opportunity to change the brick color and chose black to help the memorial be distinctive from the Academy building.

To nominate an officer for inclusion to the memorial, the officer’s name must be submitted to the WPOM Committee for consideration. This must be done by the current administrator of the law enforcement agency with whom the officer was employed at the time of death. To receive the nomination form, please contact a WPOM Committee member. The administrator must verify the fallen officer meets the definition of “peace officer” or “law enforcement officer” under Wyoming State Statue 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A-J). The nominated officer must be employed by a Wyoming law enforcement agency, or a Federal law enforcement agency assigned to serve full-time within the State of Wyoming at the time of death, and must have died as a direct result of a law enforcement activity. If the nomination is not submitted by the administrator, it will NOT be considered.  Instead, it will be forwarded to the agency’s administrator with a cover letter explaining the nomination process. The administrator shall verify that the nominated officer was employed by one of the agencies listed above and describe the circumstances of the death. The nomination form shall contain the administrator’s recommendation for including the officer’s name on the memorial. Once submitted to the WPOM Committee it will be considered by the committee of the whole at the next scheduled committee meeting.

The Wyoming Peace Officer Memorial Committee is funded solely by donations. In addition to the Academy’s contribution, law enforcement organizations and associations have taken the opportunity to step forward donate to donate funds help offset the cost for the memorial wall rebuild, which is greatly appreciated. To donate or support the Wyoming Peace Officer Memorial, you may contact one of several committee members.