Laramie Police Honors Officers & Gains an Officer

Laramie Police Department celebrated multiple officers today, as three officers received commendations and police lifesaving awards, and another officer was sworn in. 

Officer Gregory Ruby from New Hampshire has joined the LPD ranks. He has 17 years of law enforcement experience, and most recently served as a patrol sergeant with the Durham N.H. PD. Training Sergeant Asa Hutchinson said Ruby “has undergone a strenuous selection process to get here today, which is a great accomplishment.”  Ruby is an avid outdoorsman, so Laramie will hopefully provide him ample opportunities. 

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Officers James Pracheil, Evan Kamerer, and Sergeant Matt Leibovitz were recognized for their life-saving efforts in administering Narcan. Officer Terrance Johnson was absent, but will also receive recognition and an award. 

LPD Chief Brian Browne recognized the officers’ “extraordinary acts of heroism and compassion,” as a reminder that police serve many roles in the community. 

“Our duty goes beyond enforcing the law; it encompasses safeguarding lives, offering hope, and showing compassion in times of crisis,” Browne said. 

Wyoming has experienced 55 overdose-related deaths this year, and Albany County saw 12 non-fatal overdoses in May. For more on the Fentanyl crisis in Wyoming and the LPD’s response to it, see the story here. 

Officers Pracheil and Johnson received a call about a subject not completely alert and turning blue. Upon arriving, Pracheil noted the subject was barely breathing with little pulse. Learning the subject smoked a Fentanyl pill, Pracheil administered Narcan and Johnson began performing chest compressions. The subject regained a stronger pulse and began breathing regularly. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly after. 

Officer Kamerer carried Narcan on duty before the State’s Narcan program became available. His preparedness saved a life in April. Responding to a call about a subject not breathing, Kamerer noted the subject was turning blue and began chest compressions. When EMS arrived and took over chest compressions at which point Kamerer administered Narcan. The subject began breathing normally again.

On another call reporting a suspected overdose, Sergeant Leibovitz arrived and saw the subject unconscious. Observing drug paraphernalia in the room, Leibovitz made the decision to administer Narcan. Two doses were required to revive the subject, who then sat up, began communicating, and admitted to officers that he had overdosed on Fentanyl. 

Narcan is available to the LPD and other businesses and organizations in the state for free through the Wyoming Department of Health’s Narcan program. Qualifying agencies must undergo opioid overdose training, ensure the Narcan recipient receives additional medical attention, and submit a Narcan use report after administering. For complete details, visit the WDH’s Opioid Crisis Treatment page here.