SHERIDAN — Police and family are still unsure of what happened to a missing Sheridan man after a volunteer search that involved wading through a waist-deep creek produced no leads.
James “Bo” Galloway, 53, has not been heard from since his family last saw him on April 30 at his home off Westview Drive.
According to his friends and family, Galloway would never have left his car in the driveway and his three dogs locked inside the house with their food and water bowls empty under normal circumstances.
Later, from a makeshift dugout in the hillside overlooking the Big Goose Creek that winds through the private property he was renting, his cellphone with a smashed glass front and an empty nylon tent-pole bag were found.
This past weekend’s search was the second time the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office had searched the property; the first was in June.
Approximately 600 acres of land between Galloway’s residence and the Sheridan County Airport, where tipsters had claimed to have spotted him after he was reported missing, have been searched by K-9 teams and cadaver dogs.
According to Capt. Tom Ringley, the Sheridan Police Department has not released any new information as of yet, but he urges the public to continue providing any information or tips regarding Galloway’s disappearance.
He confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing and stated, “We’ll continue to run down any new leads or information.”
Stumbling Across Water
On July 19, Kiara Coen, Galloway’s stepdaughter, trudged up and down Big Goose Creek for almost three miles in knee-deep, cold water while avoiding snakes and searching for clues.
She was accompanied by her sister, Madelyn Galloway, who also had to deal with the difficult task of possibly locating their father’s remains.
They discussed theories about what might have happened or who might have been involved in his disappearance as they strolled. All they have are “what ifs” and more questions in the absence of facts or proof.
Nothing about their father’s disappearance makes sense, not even his menacing final statement to his ex-wife, Jaime Banks, on April 27, in which he expressed his fear that someone was trying to harm him and endanger his life.
Because neither of them thinks Galloway would have left or remained away from them for this long, they can’t help but fear the worst.
No Hints
More than a dozen volunteers sifted through the waist-high grass and dense brush beside the creek in search of any clues that Galloway had visited or that something had occurred.
Stacy Koester, the director and founder of WyoFind, a nonprofit organization that conducts outreach, investigations, and ground searches for missing persons in Gillette, coordinated the search.
Ultimately, the team discovered a few hints—including a sports jersey that his daughter claimed wasn’t his—but none of them worked out. According to Koester, this is how searches typically proceed because part of the process involves ruling out territory.
She went on to say that this is the first of probably many to come, and that the next one will involve drones once she has the required permits from federal authorities.
“WyoFind is dedicated to the family of Bo Galloway and will keep working to find Bo and provide his family with answers,” Koester stated. “As a missing person advocate, I believe Bo’s case deserves a lot more attention.”
Disappointing, But Something
Though they were disappointed by the lack of answers, Coen, Madelyn, and Banks were grateful that the volunteers had come and helped the family in their search for Galloway.
Everyone expressed gratitude for the individuals who came out to assist, some of whom were friends and others who were complete strangers, and agreed that it felt good to be a part of the endeavor.
Coen described the search as “good but disheartening.” “We simply want to know what happened to him and to get answers.”
Banks was also appreciative of the community’s support.
She remarked, “We were so moved by their generosity and to know that people care.”
The two have remained close friends despite their divorce from Galloway. She acknowledged that their family has been struggling, especially Madelyn, who has been struggling with her father’s absence, especially since he did not attend her high school graduation in late May.
“Not being able to get answers from Maddy is difficult,” Banks remarked. “Seeing my baby go through this when she shouldn’t have to is difficult.”
She described Galloway as a kind and giving individual.
She stated, “I need him to be found.” “I’m still holding out hope for the best.”
Galloway has gray hair, hazel eyes, and a height of 5′ 6″. She weighs approximately 182 pounds.
Please call the Sheridan Police Department at 307-672-2413 if you have any information. The website of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation also accepts anonymous tips.
