Aaron Appelhans, a University of Wyoming Patrol Sergeant and Albany County resident for over twenty years, was sworn into the position of Albany County Sheriff on Friday, December 11th. Appelhans is replacing former Sheriff, David O’Malley, and will hold this position for O’Malley’s remaining two-year term. Sheriff Appelhans is the first known African American to hold a Sheriff position in the State of Wyoming.
Explaining that this Wyoming first holds a significance for the future of law enforcement, Appelhans says, “I think the meaning is important because it shows other people of color that there are opportunities for them to be in leadership positions within law enforcement. There are opportunities to affect change within not only the law, but the criminal justice system as well.” The new Sheriff believes that in taking on this position, “people of color and other underrepresented populations now have an example.”
Photo used with permission of Aaron Appelhans
Appelhans hopes to promote law enforcement opportunities to underrepresented people in his time in office. “My responsibility is to make sure that I am representing myself and my community well, making sure I am providing opportunities for those that want to follow in my footsteps or pursue other openings in the profession.”
Sheriff Appelhans has a college degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming, which he explains taught him problem solving, analyzation, perseverance, and patience. His later work for the University of Wyoming gave him communications skills. “That’s where I really was able to learn how to communicate with people, meeting lots of people from all walks of life.”
His experience in law enforcement has further prepared Appelhans to take on this position. “During my time as a law enforcement officer, I have been fortunate to be able to train in all facets of law enforcement to the point where I can come into this position and not be specialized in just one area, but have experience in a variety of different areas…Using those problem-solving skills, using all those communication skills, I can put them together to best serve my community, especially in crisis situations.”
Living both his professional and personal life by similar standards, Appelhans says, “I’m honest and hardworking, I’m here to listen and to serve…My vision for the department is to provide great service to the community, to protect and serve. I want to be specific to the community needs. [I want to] keep the peace but do so where the community has trust in our department.”