Year in Review: Sergeant Nevada Krinkee

Sheridan Media is taking a look back at the most viewed stories of 2024. The year began with an unfortunate and senseless act of violence that took the life of Sheridan Police Officer Sergeant Nevada Krinkee.

At just 33 years of age, Krinkee was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 while attempting to serve a trespass warning on a male subject near the intersection of 5th Street and Val Vista Street in Sheridan. Sgt. Krinkee was transported to Sheridan Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

The male subject fled the scene and was located a short time later in the area of 6th and N. Sheridan Avenue. Members of the Sheridan Police Department, Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol established a perimeter and determined the subject was barricaded inside a residence.

After setting up a perimeter around the house, law enforcement, negotiation teams and Special Response Teams entered a standoff with William Lowery, age 46, that would last more than 24 hours and result in the death of Lowery. 

Multiple agencies in the region and statewide responded to assist Sheridan Police with this incident, including the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office, Gillette Police Department, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, Casper Police Department, Natrona County Sheriff’s Department, Mills Police Department, Wyoming Game and Fish, local fire and EMS personnel, the FBI, the Bureau of Land Management and the ATF. 

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation took control of the investigation which remains ongoing. 

The outpouring of support from the community and law enforcement agencies was a light of hope in a very dark time for Sheridan and the family of Sgt. Krinkee. A fund was established to help Krinkee’s wife and child. During his funeral, law enforcement from around the Cowboy State and beyond stepped up and sent officers, deputies and patrol troopers to cover the shifts of local members so they could attend the services and pay respects to a fellow dedicated officer.   

The senseless shooting of Sgt. Krinkee was the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Sheridan Police Department. But the community will remember the life and dedication of a committed peace officer. 

Krinkee graduated from Bozeman High School in Montana, in 2009 and chose to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army as a light infantryman during the Global War on Terror. Krinkee served proudly in the distinguished 82nd Airborne Division.

Krinkee would spend eight years with the U.S. Army, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 2017 and  earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), Combat Infantryman Badge and his Jumpmaster Wings. 

It was not long after leaving the U.S. Army, at the age of 26, Krinkee joined the Sheridan Police Department. His service to the Sheridan community as a peace officer began on Oct. 2, 2017.  

According to SPD Chief Travis Koltiska, Krinkee made an immediate impact on the department and community through his work as a patrol officer. He was quickly promoted to the rank of Corporal and then Patrol Sergeant. Krinkee’s leadership set the example for all levels of leadership within the department.

Krinkee was married to Karla, a Corporal with the Sheridan Police Department, and had recently welcomed their first child, Bella, to their family.