Johnson County Sheriff's Office

06/13/2026

****UPDATE****

***************************** UPDATE ********************************
At this time, two individuals are in custody, and all stolen vehicles have been recovered.

Thank you to everyone who remained vigilant and provided information to our department. This investigation is still ongoing.

Once again, we greatly appreciate all the support and assistance we've received from this community!

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The Buffalo Police Department is investigating several reported vehicle break-ins and thefts that occurred between midnight and 3:00 a.m. on June 10, 2026 in the areas of N Burritt, N Carrington, Balsam, W Brock, W Gatchell, and E gatchell. We also received reports of three stolen vehicles taken during that same time period.
In all reported cases, the vehicles were left unlocked, and the stolen vehicles had keys left inside.
We encourage all residents to check their vehicles for any missing items and /or fi****ms that are normally kept in vehicles.
If you have home security or surveillance camera footage that may have captured suspicious activity during those hours, we would appreciate your assistance. Please contact the Police Department (at 307-684-5581) if you have footage that may help with the investigation.

06/10/2026

Please be on the look out and check your vehicles. Please do NOT leave your keys in your vehicles.

The Buffalo Police Department is investigating several reported vehicle break-ins and thefts that occurred between midnight and 3:00 a.m. on June 10, 2026 in the areas of N Burritt, N Carrington, Balsam, W Brock, W Gatchell, and E gatchell. We also received reports of three stolen vehicles taken during that same time period.

In all reported cases, the vehicles were left unlocked, and the stolen vehicles had keys left inside.

We encourage all residents to check their vehicles for any missing items and /or fi****ms that are normally kept in vehicles.

If you have home security or surveillance camera footage that may have captured suspicious activity during those hours, we would appreciate your assistance. Please contact the Police Department (at 307-684-5581) if you have footage that may help with the investigation.

06/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE: OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING UPDATE: SERGEANT ZACH BURNS

DATE: 06102026

On Monday, June 8th, 2026, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a man with a gun in Baggs, Wyoming, near the Colorado state line.

Sergeant Zach Burns was in the area and responded immediately. Dispatchers relayed the suspect vehicle information to Sergeant Burns.

Sergeant Burns located the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in front of a small apartment complex in Baggs.

Upon coming to a stop, the suspect immediately exited his vehicle and opened fire on Sergeant Burns with a semi-automatic rifle. Sergeant Burns was struck in the neck, arm, and hip.

The suspect proceeded to set fire to the apartment building before getting back in his vehicle and fleeing northbound on Highway 789.

Residents of Baggs immediately rushed to provide aid to Sergeant Burns until EMS crews could arrive, providing cover and emergency wound treatment.

Sergeant Burns was transported via helicopter to a trauma center in Colorado where he remains in critical condition.

The suspect was killed in a shootout with Carbon County Deputies on Highway 789 after fleeing the scene. This investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Our hearts are with Sergeant Burns and his family, as well as all of our deputies, troopers, Baggs residents, and partner agencies who assisted.

Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.

-Alex

*For information regarding this incident, please check this page for updates as they become available.

06/09/2026

Please keep the Carbon County Deputy in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.

PRESS RELEASE: OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
DATE: 06082026

On Monday, June 8th, dispatchers with the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a man with a gun in Baggs, located in southwestern Carbon County.

The subject opened fire on the initial responding deputy, striking him several times.

The suspect fled the scene in a small truck. Additional responding deputies and troopers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol engaged in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle on Highway 789 north of Baggs. The suspect opened fire on law enforcement again before driving off the highway and coming to a stop. The suspect was declared deceased at the scene.

The wounded deputy was transported to a medical facility in Colorado by Intermountain Air Ambulance.

Additional units from agencies across the state responded to assist.

The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

Please keep our injured deputy and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you.

- Alex

05/30/2026

Electric bicycles and electric motorcycles are becoming more popular.

Here are a few things to remember. To be considered an electric bicycle, it must have working pedals. If your electric bicycle does not have pedals, it is considered an electric motorcycle.

Electric motorcycles must be registered, have lights, have insurance, and be operated by a licensed driver, the same as any motorcycle or ATV on the roadway.

Electric Bicycle Regulations (W.S.31-5-707 & 31-1-101)

Definition: Electric bicycles must have fully operable pedals, a seat, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (approximately 1 horsepower).

Classes:

Class 1: Pedal-assist only, the motor stops once the bike reaches 20 mph.

Class 2: Throttle-assisted, the motor ceases assistance once the bike reaches 20 mph.

Class 3: Pedal-assist only; the motor ceases assistance once the bike reaches 28 mph.

05/20/2026

Beginning Sunday, Buffalo EMS will celebrate National EMS Week by recognizing the dedicated professionals behind our organization and reaffirming our commitment to serving the Buffalo community. Each day throughout the week, we will highlight the official National EMS Week themes to showcase the people, services, and important initiatives that support our mission of improving outcomes together.

05/13/2026

Each May, the nation observes National Police Week to honor law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The Office of Justice Programs joins communities across the country in recognizing their service and paying tribute to all who protect and serve.

https://www.ojp.gov/national-police-week-2026

05/11/2026

UPDATE: The juvenile has been found safe.

The Buffalo Police Department would like to thank everyone who shared information and contacted dispatch with tips throughout the day. Your assistance was greatly appreciated and helped bring this incident to a safe close.

Public Assistance Requested

The Buffalo Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a 15-year-old runaway last seen on Monday, May 11, at approximately 12:38 p.m. in the Buffalo area.

The juvenile was last seen wearing all dark/black clothing, including black tennis shoes, on foot heading north toward the interstate.

If you see anyone matching this description, please contact the Buffalo Police Department immediately with their location. Please do not pick up anyone hitchhiking at this time.

Any information from the public is greatly appreciated.

05/06/2026

May 3rd - 9th

COMMUNITY UPDATE: NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WEEK

This week is National Correctional Officers Week.

We would like to take this time to recognize our team of detention deputies, medical personnel, and housing control/nutrition operators assigned to our Detention Facility who work to keep our county detention center safe and secure 24/7, 365.

These individuals work one of the most difficult jobs in the criminal justice arena, and we are incredibly thankful for what they do.

We’d also like to recognize our brothers and sisters at the Wyoming Department of Corrections, where many of us started our criminal justice careers.

Thank you all for your dedication and commitment to our community!

⭐️ Sheriff Rod Odenbach