The Laramie County Sheriff’s deputy who was wounded in a fatal shootout over the weekend was released from the hospital on Wednesday, sheriff’s officials announced.
The unidentified deputy was discharged from Cheyenne Regional Medical Center on Wednesday and is now resting at home.
“His recovery period is expected to last several months,” sheriff’s officials said.
Laramie County Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin James told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that while he still could not release where the deputy was wounded, he did note that the officer received multiple injuries, including gunshot, in the situation over the weekend.
“We’re hopeful he will make a full recovery, but it’s unknown at this time whether he’ll return to full duty,” he said.
James said that despite the situation, the department employees’ main focus continued to be well-being of all of its first responders. He commended the paramedics, emergency dispatchers and Cheyenne police officers who assisted in the shooting over the weekend.
He added that the department has not seen an officer be shot in a situation with a suspect since 2011.
“We’re grateful this type of thing doesn’t happen every day, but obviously, it’s a reality,” James said.
The deputy was shot while exchanging gunfire with a robbery suspect in northern Cheyenne on Saturday.
The suspect, 31-year-old Rance Tillman, was first contacted at Cahill Park in north Cheyenne after the deputy responded to a call of a robbery at Laramie County Community College.
The deputy chased Tillman in a slow-speed pursuit that ended about one-half mile north in the Miles Court neighborhood in north Cheyenne, where the shootout occurred.
Tillman, a Cheyenne resident, was killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Since the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting, Hollingshead said the DCI will decide when to announce the identities of both the deputy and the suspect. The investigation is expected to take six to eight weeks.
Other law enforcement agencies from across the state offered their support over the weekend after the deputy was shot.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters at Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and those involved in yesterday’s tragedy in Cheyenne,” said Sweetwater County Sheriff Sheriff John Grossnickle. “We have to continue to work together as friends and neighbors to ensure things like this never become an everyday headline here in Wyoming.”
“Help us send good vibes to this deputy from a fellow agency in Laramie County! Prayers for them and their family, both blood and blue,” the Douglas Police Department wrote.
