Cheyenne Police Chief Pens Letter Thanking Local Officers, DA

Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak is lauding local law enforcement for their response to a May 3 pursuit, in which the suspect, 23-year-old Dominique Childers, of Casper, fired over 20 rounds at officers as he led them on a high-speed chase through the capital city.

The pursuit ended after a police officer returned fire, striking Childers twice, and Childers crashed the stolen car he was driving into the steel fence around the Cheyenne VA Medical Center.  No officers were injured during the chase.

The Laramie County District Attorney's Office originally charged Childers with two counts of aggravated assault and battery-threatens with weapon in connection with the incident, but on Friday amended those charges to attempted first-degree murder.

Childers is also charged with felony theft, four counts of felony property destruction, felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor property destruction, reckless endangering-conduct and eluding.

Childers is currently being held in the Laramie County jail on a $100,000 cash bond, and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on the amended charges today.

On Peace Officers Memorial Day, I would like to express my gratitude to our local law enforcement officers. These brave men and women selflessly confront danger to defend Cheyenne from evil. The shooting that took place in Cheyenne on May 3rd remind us of their valor. The Cheyenne officers and troopers continued their pursuit despite the suspect’s attempt to stop them by firing over 20 rounds (picture of bullet hole in the officer’s passenger door). Proverbs 28:1 is appropriate; “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” I am grateful that our officers were well trained to deal with this deadly assault. I am also appreciative that our DA amended the offense against the suspect to attempted 1st degree murder.

Chief Brian N. Kozak