A Wyoming police chief has been presented with a commendation for “exemplary dedication and exceptional actions” in connection with an August homicide in a neighboring town.
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak presented the commendation to Pine Bluffs Police Chief Austin Smith at a recent Pine Bluffs City Council meeting.
He credits Chief Smith with playing a major role in apprehending the suspect in an August 23rd homicide outside Burns and with finding the gun used in the shooting.
Sheriff Kozak says after word was sent out that the suspect had fled the Burns area, Smith spotted the suspect’s vehicle in Pine Bluffs and began a pursuit on Interstate 80 that entered Nebraska, then reversed course and went almost to Burns.
Chief Smith coordinated his chase with other law enforcement agencies and the suspect was eventually stopped and taken into custody.
Sheriff Kozak says Smith then put in “relentless efforts” to find the gun used in the homicide which the suspect was believed to have tossed sometime during the case.
Smith, in his first year as Pine Bluffs chief conducted a 2-day search of the area and the gun was eventually found near the freeway.
Sheriff Kozak says all of Smith’s actions exemplified “the very essence of what it means to serve and protect.
That’s awesome! Congratulations! Job well done.
Congratulations! Impressive!
WOW! The fact that his kids mother convinced him while she was on the phone with him and dispatch to pull over because he wasn’t guilty and it would be proven but by him running he was making himself look guilty. and the turn around back to burns was due to him trying to get to her house had no play in it at all right!?. Why don’t yall commend the fact that, he was in shock and called someone who was able to talk some sense into him and get him back to reality and chose to pull over on his own without incident, and cooperated with the police on where the weapon was! stop taking credit where the credit isn’t due!
Graduate of Chadron State College!!