In towns like Hulett, Wyoming (population 400), Police Chief Bill Motley works as a one-man department, patrolling the streets, answering calls at all hours, and even responding to Life Alert emergencies. “Being a small-town cop has its benefits, and its downside, but I think the benefits far outweigh the downside,” Motley told the reporter.
His challenges are similar to those faced by law enforcement in Wyoming’s vast but sparsely populated counties.
During major events such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Motley is temporarily joined by four part-time officers, but otherwise, he works alone.
Miles of Land, Minimal Support
Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken oversees nearly 8,000 square miles with only 17 deputies on patrol. “We are ultra rural… and we don’t generate enough revenue to sustain the services,” Bakken said, citing a 25% property tax cut this year. Response times can exceed two hours, and deputies frequently patrol alone, raising serious safety concerns during high-risk calls.
Platte County Sheriff David Russell faces similar challenges. “We’re down with everyone else. “We cannot offer the salaries that larger or wealthier counties can,” he stated. With wages starting at $19.50 per hour, recruitment is a constant struggle.
Emotional Toll, Real Stakes
The emotional burden is heavy in Big Horn County, where Sheriff Ken Blackburn says his deputies are still dealing with the trauma of responding to a recent family murder-suicide. The rural terrain and growing population raise call volumes and tensions. “These are real people to us as well,” Blackburn stated.
