Opinion ID: 890421
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: [¶3] Deputy Ringrose and Deputy Kenneth Cook1 worked off-duty security at the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne starting the evening of Saturday, December 26, 2009, and 1 In Laramie County Sheriff’s Dep’t v. Cook, 2012 WY 47, 272 P.3d 966 (Wyo. 2012), we affirmed the district court’s reversal of the Sheriff’s decision terminating Deputy Cook from his employment for events related to the same off-duty assignment. 1 continuing into the early morning hours of Sunday, December 27, 2009. Although Deputy Ringrose was in his department uniform, he was paid and supervised by the Outlaw Saloon. [¶4] Sergeant Timothy Finch, an airman stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and Officer Russ Edwards, an off-duty Cheyenne Police Department officer, got into a fight in the bar. Deputy Ringrose did not see the fight, but a staff member asked that the men be removed from the bar. Deputy Ringrose escorted Officer Edwards outside, while Deputy Cook took charge of Sergeant Finch. Although it appeared to Deputy Ringrose that Officer Edwards was not the instigator of the fight, the officer remained angry and was cursing at Sergeant Finch. Deputy Ringrose told Officer Edwards he would call his watch commander if he did not settle down. Officer Edwards said to make the call, so Deputy Ringrose instructed Officer Edwards to remain where he was while he asked Deputy Cook, who was using his radio to request an ambulance for Sergeant Finch, to contact the watch commander. Ignoring Deputy Ringrose’s instruction, Officer Edwards got into a car and left the bar. Deputy Ringrose did not take any photographs at the scene or follow-up at the hospital to determine Sergeant Finch’s condition. [¶5] Deputy Ringrose’s typical work week at the Sheriff’s Department was Wednesday through Saturday, so he was not scheduled to work until the following Wednesday. While Deputy Ringrose was off work on Monday and Tuesday, Deputy Cook told him he was writing a report about the Outlaw Saloon incident and Deputy Ringrose agreed to write a supplemental report. Deputy Ringrose’s supervisor also contacted him and instructed him to write a report. On his first day back at work, Deputy Ringrose conducted interviews and prepared his report. His supervisor directed him to “hang on” to the report and continue his investigation because he had not been able to contact some of the witnesses. Deputy Ringrose did as requested and submitted his final report the next day. [¶6] Lieutenant Linda Gesell started an administrative investigation of Deputy Ringrose after learning of the incident. He was suspended and Lieutenant Gesell recommended he be terminated for violating department policy. After a disciplinary hearing, the Sheriff terminated Deputy Ringrose from employment with the department. [¶7] Deputy Ringrose applied for unemployment insurance benefits, and the Unemployment Insurance Division initially denied his request. After a contested case hearing, the hearing officer awarded benefits finding that although he had been discharged, it was not for misconduct connected with his work. The Commission affirmed the hearing officer’s decision after Laramie County appealed. Laramie County filed a petition for review, and the district court reversed the Commission’s decision, concluding it was not supported by substantial evidence. The Commission appealed to this Court. 2