PINE BLUFFS – Two months after a Pine Bluffs crop duster was shot and killed, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has made no arrests while investigators determine whether Wyoming’s “stand your ground” law applies in this case.
Kevin Hefley, 52, was discovered dead on June 24 in the 1200 block of County Road 157, approximately eight miles west of Pine Bluffs. Deputies responded to reports of a fatal shooting at 4:22 p.m. Hefley provided aerial application services and was affiliated with both Airtime Aerial and Crop Dusters LLC, according to multiple reports.
Sheriff Brian Kozak told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in July that the case was taking longer to investigate because detectives were assessing the impact of the Castle Doctrine, a legal principle incorporated into Wyoming’s “stand your ground” law that allows individuals to use deadly force to defend themselves or others without being required to retreat.
The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office stated on Facebook Friday that “our detectives are actively working on this complex case.” We appreciate your patience and understanding while the investigation continues.”
The sheriff’s office stated immediately after the shooting that a “shooter has been located,” but provided no further information about whether the incident involved an alleged criminal act.
The post promised to provide an update once the case was forwarded to the Laramie County District Attorney’s Office.
“Forwarding the case to the District Attorney’s Office is a standard procedure to review the investigation and determine if any further legal action is necessary,” according to the message.
Hefley ran his crop dusting business from the Pine Bluffs Airport. He was married to Christy Hefley, a professional barrel racer.
A friend and former college rodeo teammate described Hefley as a “level-headed guy” who didn’t “fly off the handle.”
Community members expressed their dissatisfaction with the investigation’s slow progress in comments on the department’s Facebook post. Despite the limited information available about Hefley’s death, many people noted that the community has not forgotten him.
This marks the second fatal shooting in Laramie County this month. The Cheyenne area has a low homicide rate, with only three reported in 2024, according to the Cheyenne Police Department. The Laramie County District Attorney’s Office determined that two of these were “justified” homicides.
Wyoming’s stand your ground law, enacted in 2018, has come under scrutiny in recent years. The law broadens self-defense protections and includes provisions known as the “castle doctrine,” which authorizes deadly force in the defense of one’s home.
When asked about the shooting suspect’s identity and custody status, Kozak stated, “It’s under investigation.”
The sheriff’s office has encouraged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
