By Caroline Elik
The Sheridan Press
Via- Wyoming News Exchange

SHERIDAN — Sheridan County residents, law enforcement officers and supporters from all walks of life gathered Friday in Sheridan to honor the life of fallen Sheridan Police Department Sgt. Nevada Krinkee.

Krinkee was shot and killed Feb. 13 while attempting to serve a trespass warning on William Lowery. He leaves behind his wife, Karla Krinkee, and their infant daughter.

Hundreds of people of all ages lined Main Street and Coffeen Avenue Friday to show support as a procession of family and first responder vehicles traveled to the Sheridan College campus for Krinkee’s memorial service. Many removed hats, saluted and quietly shed tears as the procession traveled southbound.

First responders from nearby Wyoming communities like Casper and Gillette were present, as were responders from surrounding states, including Montana, South Dakota and Idaho. Several local churches, including First Baptist Church, Rock Church and Illuminate Church, among others, opened their doors to the public to livestream the memorial service after the procession.

Krinkee was hired as an SPD officer in October 2017 and quickly promoted to the ranks of corporal in December 2018 and sergeant in April 2022, where he was serving as a team lead at the time of his death.

Before joining SPD, Krinkee spent eight years in the U.S. Army as airborne infantry. While deployed in Afghanistan, part of Krinkee’s job was to protect children going to and from school, The Sheridan Press reported Nov. 9, 2018.

“Some of the things I experienced overseas made me want to make a difference in my community,” Krinkee told the Sheridan Press in 2018. “…Now those kids can grow up and make a difference in their country, so I wanted to be able to do that but here in the United States.”

Those in attendance at Krinkee’s memorial service reminisced on the legacy he leaves behind, emphasizing his heart for service and the hole his death created in the heart of Sheridan County.

“The passing of Nevada has left an unimaginable void in our department and in our community,” Sheridan Police Chief Travis Koltiska said at Krinkee’s memorial service. “His selflessness knew no bounds, and his actions spoke louder than his words ever could.”

Others at the service jokingly remembered Krinkee as a fiercely competitive “huge nerd” who loved games of all kinds — whether video games, board games or card games. In a statement read at the service, Krinkee’s sister-in-law Donna Bass called Krinkee a goofy, “uncommonly generous soul.”

Sheridan Police Lt. and Sheridan Bible Church Pastor Dan Keller said Krinkee was an “immeasurable, valuable treasure.” He praised Krinkee’s dedication to charity and to his Christian faith, as well as his commitment to his marriage and family.

“[Nevada] put people first. You could say he loved well among us … the measuring stick for love is always sacrifice,” Keller said. “When we say he loved well, it means he sacrificed for us, whether in a little conversation or with the laying down of his life. He loved well.”

Keller also read words from Krinkee’s wife Karla, who spoke of Krinkee’s unwavering sense of service and love for the duties of fatherhood.

“Nevada lived as a servant, to serve his country, his community, his department, his family, his God. He felt called to this, and I know in my heart he would be moved beyond measure to be honored here today … he spent his life in a way that truly served others and never asked for anything in return,” Karla’s statement read. “The kind of life our daughter should have had with her father was stolen, and all I can do is hold on to the knowledge that in time, the time he had with her and the love and devotion he gave us will last a lifetime.”