TORRINGTON – With the recent retirement of Sheriff Donald Murphy, three candidates have stepped forward to fill the position of sheriff for the rest of his term, which ends in December. 

Members of the Goshen County Republican Party met Monday to review the candidates for the position. The meeting was procedural to nominate three candidates to forward to the County Commissioners, who will appoint the person to the sheriff position. 

The individual selected to fill the interim position would still be required to run in the August primary and the November election if they desired to fill the next elected term.

The three candidates on the ballot for the August primary are current Undersheriff Jeremy Wardell, retired Torrington Assistant Police Chief Brian Wise and Sheriff’s Deputy Kory Fleenor. All three were asked to speak on their behalf to the Goshen County Republican Party Central Committee before the vote. 

Jeremy Wardell 

When I was appointed under Sheriff Murphy, I made a conscious choice in my career path to prepare myself to run for sheriff one day, Murphy said. The series of events has put me in front of you to ask you to move me forward as one of the three names that will be given to the County Commissioners to be chosen to finish Sheriff Murphy’s term. 

The word service means helping or doing work for someone, service projects are part of my life. Involvement with church activities, working to become an Eagle Scout with the community service, Army National Guard, volunteer firefighter and law enforcement in Goshen County for 20 years, as well as having the opportunity to be the fire chief for four years. I have worked for the Sheriff’s Department for eight years, where I was taught by Sheriff Murphy how be a successful sheriff. For the last five years he showed me what I needed to know.

Brian Wise

I moved to Torrington in 1986 where I became a police officer. During that time, I advanced to sergeant, then lieutenant and finally to assistant chief. I retired as assistant chief after six years. 

I graduated from Winfield, Kans., in 1972. From there I went to Cowley County Community College for two years to study law enforcement. Then attending the New Mexico Police Academy, then working for the New Mexico State Police. 

Moving to Wyoming, I worked in the oil field then working for Torrington Police Department, where I acquired professional status. I was a firearms instructor for the state of Wyoming and the city of Torrington.

I am excited to get back into the community. I would want to make some changes within the department. I would want to get the officers out of the patrol cars and out meeting the community.  

Kory Fleenor

I served with the Army National Guard for more than six years. I started off as a detention deputy, moving to transport deputy, transporting inmates throughout the state of Wyoming. Then as a patrol deputy in 2001 and in 2008 was promoted to patrol sergeant. I eventually became supervisor of patrol deputies until 2015, 

Now I am a criminal Investigator. I see change that needs to be made within the department. 

With only three candidates all three were nominated for the position. The Goshen County Commissioners will make their final selection at the commission meeting June 19.