Kash Patel Meets With 50 Wyoming Cops At War Memorial Stadium

FBI Director Kash Patel visited Wyoming law enforcement leaders Wednesday at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

The FBI talked with Wyoming sheriffs and other agency heads about its technology capabilities, managing various crime trends, and working together, Brian Browne, Laramie assistant city manager for public safety, told Cowboy State Daily.

FBI personnel who conducted a morning meeting didn’t unveil any surprising new technology, multiple attendees said.

“I wish they would’ve, but no,” said Browne.

Still, the FBI and the locals discussed up-and-coming technologies and threats, such as drones, said Browne. He said combatting problematic drones hasn’t been an acute concern in Wyoming, but it has been nationally.

Federal officials seized more than 700 unauthorized drones during the FIFA World Cup 2026, for example.

Because people can buy drones cheaply and may be able to weaponize them, Wyoming law enforcement works to stay aware, said Browne.

“As law enforcement we should always be looking on the horizon, to see what the next threats are,” he said, adding that around 40-50 attended.

No Surprising Technology

Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans attended as well, saying the FBI invited agencies well in advance.

The meeting was for the FBI to “present on their capabilities” and what they could offer local law enforcement, Appelhans said, adding that he and his undersheriff both attended.

In the afternoon, Appelhans said, Patel, Rep. Harriet Hageman, and U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith all had a roundtable-style discussion with law enforcement on issues within either the federal government or Wyoming.

Like Browne, Appelhans said the FBI didn’t unveil any surprising technology.

“It was a good meeting, to just meet some of the people, and get that contact information so we can know exactly where to go if the FBI is needed in any way, shape or form,” he said.  

Appelhans’ campaign opponent, Republican nominee Daron Wyatt, also attended.

He did so in his capacity as a reserve deputy for the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Wyatt said.

“I was there to just be part of that, because if I’m elected, I’m going to need to know what they’ve got,” said Wyatt of the FBI.

Wyatt confirmed the drone discussion happened.

He said he was performing crisis communications as part of an incident management team on the Eaton fire in January 2025, when an errant drone struck and disabled a Super Scooper aircraft.

Counter-Drone Capabilities

The FBI brought counter-drone capabilities to that scene afterward, said Wyatt.

But like Appelhans and Browne, Wyatt said the FBI didn’t unveil any technology that surprised him.

“I think it was a great interaction, to be able to cooperate with local and state and federal law enforcement together,” said Wyatt, “because in the event anything major happens, it’s going to take everybody. It’s a team effort. So, to have those relationships in advance to know who you can call if you need something, it’s great.”

Patel's FBI Director Facebook page on Thursday morning released a video montage, set to music, of the visit with Wyomingites. It shows Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, Wyatt, Appelhans, Hageman, Smith, and others. 

The page reported above the video that crime is down eight points in one year in Wyoming. 

The post says case work is up 59%, arrests are up 123%, federal charges are up 52%, 23 child victims have been identified or located, and 72 weapons have been recovered. 

"Our priority is actually to incentivize folks to go to some of the outlying regions, and get them to stay there," Patel narrates over the video. "Wyoming's doing some of the best work in the country. 

Patel says in the video that "we brought in" all federal agencies, including intelligence agencies, like CIA. 

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.