Town Marshal

Marshal Kukuchka and K9 Freyja

In January of 2022, the Town of Ranchester brought back local law enforcement to the community. Ranchester had not had local law enforcement since 2015. Ranchester has become one of the fastest growing municipalities in Wyoming.   

The Town reactivated the Ranchester Marshal’s Office, a position first created in 1911 during the incorporation of the Town. The Ranchester Marshal’s Office is a Wyoming certified law enforcement office with an emphasis on community service and peace keeping. The difference between a police department and town marshal’s office is the title of the office.   

The Ranchester Marshal’s Office does not replace any of the current law enforcement services in the community. The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office and Wyoming Highway Patrol, respond to calls and emergencies within the community and can request assistance from the Town Marshal’s Office. The Town Marshal and Deputy Marshals can enforce the Town Code in addition to enforcement of Wyoming State Statute, but the primary focus is Town code enforcement and safety. Town safety includes traffic enforcement. The speed limit within the Town of Ranchester is 20 miles per hour unless it is posted otherwise.  

Our current Town Marshal is Spencer Kukuchka, a local resident who became a Wyoming Peace Officer in July of 2000. Marshal Kukuchka is a Professional Peace Officer certified in Wyoming with over 2,400 hours of training. He served as a Police Office for the City of Sheridan for over twenty years. During his service he worked at a field training officer, firearms instructor, and Special Response Team (SRT) team leader.  

Marshal Kukuchka grew up in the area and understands the community in the Tongue River Valley. He is referred to as a peace officer, and not a cop by residents who know him. Marshal Kukuchka is a K9 handler working with his partner, Freyja a Belgian Malinois trained in tracking, trailing, and article/evidence recovery.