Wyoming

Gillette Police Retire Biko, The ‘Michael Jordan’ Of Wyoming K-9 Officers

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2024

Gillette Police Retire Biko, The ‘Michael Jordan’ Of Wyoming K-9 Officers

GILLETTE — Trevor Johnson wasn’t sure how well Biko was going to handle early retirement. After all, it’s tough to wind down when you’re an 8-year-old, hard-working K-9 that approaches every day like it’s an endurance race.

So far, Biko appears to be handling it nicely.

Splayed on the sidewalk in front of the Gillette Police Department wholly focused on gnawing through a cut-off chunk of blasting pipe, Biko quietly chewed while eyeing Johnson.

The pair have worked together for the past three-and-a-half years until Johnson’s recent promotion to corporal. Though happy to advance his career, it also meant giving up his role as K-9 handler, which was a bittersweet tradeoff.

Johnson said he misses his canine companion, and Biko’s whining still tugs on his heartstrings as he heads out the door to work. There’s also a notable absence in Johnson’s patrol car where Biko’s crate once sat.

Nonetheless, Johnson has been surprised at how easily the high-energy Belgian Malinois has transitioned into his new role as a family dog, alongside Johnson’s other retired K-9, a German Shepherd named Lord, whose lower back trouble took him out of the game prior to Biko joining.

In Gillette, when a K-9 retires, he spends his remaining years with his handler. That’s only fair, given the strong bond that handlers form with their K-9s over the course of their careers.

And Biko had a great one, born to catch criminals.

Gillette Police Department Cpl. Trevor Johnson with his pet Belgian Malinois Bilko. But until recently, Bilko was a rock-star K-9 officer partnered with Johnson until the 8-year-old police dog was retired. (Jen Kocher, Cowboy State Daily)
You can take the K-9 out of the police department, but not his instinct to find and pursue. (Jen Kocher, Cowboy State Daily)
Bilko recently retired as a K-9 officer for the Gillette Police Department. He was born for police work, earning a reputation as the “Michael Jordan” of K-9s. (Jen Kocher, Cowboy State Daily)

Michael Jordan Of K-9s

During his less than four years with the Gillette Police Department, Biko participated in 200 arrests and 1,500 calls for service.

Johnson beamed like a proud father as he recounted Biko’s high points, marveling at the dog’s deft skills sniffing out drugs and apprehending bad guys.

It’s safe to say Biko is built for the job with the right temperament for working hard. This is why Johnson specifically requested a dog of this breed after Lord retired because they’re well known for their skills and high drive.

“They’re super hard-working and are like the Michael Jordan of dogs,” Johnson said. “And Biko was an absolute monster when it comes to apprehension with a really good nose for drugs.”

Johnson has no idea the sheer volume of drugs Biko helped get off the streets of Gillette and Campbell County, but said it was a lot. One of his favorite all-time busts was when Biko sniffed out a baseball-sized magnetic pouch full of meth stuck to the undercarriage of a car.

Biko had indicated under the car, so Johnson searched the interior thinking the smell was seeping out from inside the car but couldn’t find anything. Biko continued to sniff under the car, prompting Johnson to crawl underneath with a flashlight until he found it.

“No way any human would have been on that without his nose,” he said.

Another career highlight was when Biko likely saved an intruder from being shot by police in what Johnson believes was an intentional suicide attempt. The perpetrator had been trying to break into the backdoor of a house with a knife while goading the responding police officers to shoot him.

Johnson and Biko went around to the backyard where Johnson gave a “one dog warning,” at which point the man dropped the knife and surrendered.

“I think that Biko may have saved that guy’s life that day,” he said.

On other occasions, Biko saved Johnson from getting into physical altercations with people significantly larger than him, Johnson said, just by his mere presence.

Well-muscled yet lithe with an intimidating growl and bark, Biko made a formidable partner.

On-The-Job Training

The most challenging part in training Biko was establishing trust with his handler. Biko had initially been with another police agency out of state but was sent back to the kennel when it didn’t work out.

Where developing a bond with Lord had been fairly easy, Biko was a tougher sell. The first time Johnson saw Biko, in fact, the dog lunged at him through the fence. That didn’t dissuade Johnson, though he questioned what on earth he was getting himself into.

After bringing him back to Gillette from the kennel in Alabama, Biko temporarily lived at the animal shelter where Johnson would sit outside his kennel on the ground feeding him treats as his legs fell asleep. It took time, but once that bond was established, there was no breaking it.

“I’ve got the most loyal animal on the planet,” he said.

Training came much easier given the canine’s drive and energy. All four K-9 handlers on the police department train their dogs together, including throwing on bite suits and going toe-to-toe with the dogs.

Once they learn the basics, the dogs are constantly undergoing training on top of their shift work.

“It’s so much fun,” Johnson said. “I still can’t believe we get paid to do this.”

Accidental Career

It was his desire to work with dogs that attracted Johnson to Gillette, which already had a thriving K-9 program.

Johnson, who is originally from Michigan, moved to Wyoming 11 years ago after taking a job with the department.

He wasn’t a guy who grew up dreaming of being a cop. In fact, he accidentally fell into law enforcement while a student in Michigan working for Dow Chemical. His grandfather also worked there, and Johnson said it’s the kind of place where you work until retirement.

Part of his coursework required Johnson to take either criminal justice or fire safety courses. He went with crime and found himself hooked.

“They were a blast,” he said. “It was the first time I had really thoroughly enjoyed going to school.”

He then enrolled in the police academy, graduated and applied for a bunch of jobs. The economy in Michigan was tight, so he took a job as a certified nursing assistant while he sent out applications.

Finally, he got a call from Gillette and made arrangements to fly out for an interview. Not long after that, however, his hometown department called him in for an interview on the same day.

He was torn and asked the Michigan agency if he could interview on another day but was told absolutely not. So, he called Gillette to ask to reschedule and they were wholly accommodating and willing to work with him.

That’s all Johnson needed to hear. He cancelled his interview in Michigan and took the job with Gillette, even though it meant moving so far from home.

Then he fell in love with Wyoming and began working with dogs his second year on the force.

Bilko, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois was a rock star K-9 officer for the Gillette Police Department before his recent retirement. (Courtesy Gillette Police Department)
Bilko, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois was a rock star K-9 officer for the Gillette Police Department before his recent retirement. (Courtesy Gillette Police Department)

Final Call

Like Biko, Johnson is getting used to his new career in an administrative role as Biko adjusts to life as a family dog and not a hard-working K-9.

“It’s going to be a lengthy process,” Johnson said as he now trains Biko to harness his energy as a home dog. The hyperactivity and intensity will never go away, Johnson said, but Biko has adjusted well to living in the house with Johnson’s wife and three children.

“He was very difficult to earn that trust initially, but now my kids are literally sitting on the ground reading him books at night,” Johnson said.

And better yet, Johnson has no fears of leaving his family alone when he’s working night shifts because he has two built-in guard dogs, that also come in handy for other fetching purposes, like when he loses his cellphone.

Like other officers, Biko got his last call in a ceremony the day he retired, and also got a retirement badge for his years of service.

Deputy Chief Brent Wasson thanked both Biko and Johnson for their service.

“The Gillette Police Department extends its heartfelt gratitude to Cpl. Trevor Johnson for his unwavering dedication to Biko, and to Biko for his years of steadfast service to our community,” he said. “We wish Biko a long and happy retirement.”

And though Biko is officially retired, his skills remain as sharp as ever.

On Johnson’s cue, Biko leaped up and ceded the blasting pipe that Johnson then picked up and held between his hands. Biko eyed the pipe intensely until Johnson gave another command and he lurched forward and dug his teeth into it.

Once released, Biko returned to casually gnawing as Johnson looked down at Biko’s leash in his hand. The leash is the first piece of equipment to go on and the last to come off at night, he said.

“It’s a sentimental thing to me,” he said. “It’s like it becomes a part of your body.”

Now that leash will go to Tyler Dillman, who has been selected as the handler for the department’s newest K-9, King.

Jen Kocher can be reached at: Jen@CowboyStateDaily.com

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Wyoming

Group asks judge to restore abortion rights, block Human Heartbeat Act

Published

8 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Group asks judge to restore abortion rights, block Human Heartbeat Act

A group of abortion access advocates are asking the Natrona County District Court to block the Human Heartbeat Act. The law went into effect on March 9 and bans most abortions at six weeks.

That’s because cardiac activity can be detected with a transvaginal ultrasound at about six weeks — a time when abortion advocates say many people don’t know they’re pregnant yet.

The motion to the court states that the new law involves the same “fundamental problem” as other abortion-related laws already being considered by the court.

They are asking to add the law to an ongoing case over separate laws, which would require building renovations at abortion clinics and require transvaginal ultrasounds 48 hours before an abortion. Both of those laws have been temporarily blocked.

“[The Human Heartbeat Act] transgresses the constitutional guarantee of Plaintiffs’ and individuals’ to make health care decisions without interference from the government,” says the document filed on the afternoon of March 10 by Robinson Bramlet LLC.

Wyoming Public Radio obtained the filing from Chelsea’s Fund, an abortion-rights nonprofit and one of the plaintiffs in the case — part of the same group that has been challenging the state for years to protect abortion access.

They recently won their case in the Wyoming Supreme Court, when the majority of justices decided to strike down two near-total abortion laws enacted in 2024, saying they violated residents’ right to make their own healthcare decisions, which is specifically protected in the Wyoming Constitution.

The Legislature quickly got to work on more anti-abortion legislation, such as the Human Heartbeat Act, which Gov. Mark Gordon signed on March 9. It carries an exception for cases where the health of the mother is in jeopardy, but not for rape or incest victims, which Gordon called an “unfortunate flaw.”

Chelsea’s Fund Executive Director Janean Forsyth said she was disappointed the state again restricted access to “vital care.”

“I’m thinking about everyone from the 15 year old that we supported, whose grandmother actually reached out, a victim of sexual assault,” Forsyth said. “I’m thinking about a family with a very wanted pregnancy that we supported in eventually seeking an abortion for a severe fetal anomaly.”

Forsyth added that abortion laws like this result in medical providers leaving the state.

“So it’s not only affecting access to abortion care, it’s affecting reproductive healthcare access generally for parents and children, which is really unfortunate,” she said.

Wellspring Health Access in Casper, the state’s only abortion clinic, is cancelling appointments with patients seeking to end their pregnancies later in their term, according to Executive Director Katie Knutter.

Speaker of the House Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) sponsored the law. He said he wasn’t surprised it was met with legal action, as that’s been the trend in recent years.

“I think we’re in a good spot,” Neiman said in a voicemail to Wyoming Public Radio after the lawsuit was filed. “And we’re going to move ahead and the people of the Legislature, Wyoming has spoken.”

Lawmakers decided against putting the issue directly before Wyoming voters as a constitutional amendment this fall. That’s after Gordon urged them to do so to end the legal cycle.

Neiman couldn’t be reached by publication time to comment on the decision to not pursue a constitutional amendment, but in a Jan. 26 town hall, he expressed worries that voters could codify the right to abortion.

In 2024, 64% of Nevada voters supported enshrining the right into the state constitution. A majority will have to vote in favor again later this year to recognize the right.

In his voicemail, Neiman added, “There’s folks out there that are completely good with killing kids, killing babies in the womb, and there’s other folks out here like the Legislature that are fighting desperately to preserve their lives.”

The abortion-rights group said it will ask the court to issue a temporary restraining order and block the new law while the legal challenge proceeds.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Coaches Pick the Best of 1A & 2A Boys Basketball in 2026

Published

20 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Coaches Pick the Best of 1A & 2A Boys Basketball in 2026

The top boys’ basketball players in Wyoming for Classes 1A and 2A were chosen for the 2026 high school season. The Wyoming Coaches Association has unveiled the all-state awards for this year, as voted on by the head coaches in the two classifications, respectively. The Wyoming Coaches Association only recognizes one team for all-state, and only these players receive an award certificate from the WCA. WyoPreps only lists all-state players as defined by the WCA.

WCA 1A-2A BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-STATE SELECTIONS IN 2026

Each class selected 14 players for all-state, reflecting a broad recognition of talent across Wyoming. Notably, congratulations go to Hulett’s Kyle Smith, Brady Cook from Lingle-Fort Laramie, and Carsten Freeburg from Pine Bluffs, who earned all-state honors for the third straight year. In addition, eight more players achieved all-state status for the second time in their prep careers.

Class 1A

Paul McNiven – Burlington

Bitner Philpott – Burlington

Ammon Hatch – Cokeville (All-State in 2025)

Hudson Himmerich – Cokeville

Kyle Smith – Hulett (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Anthony Arnusch – Lingle-Ft. Laramie

Brady Cook – Lingle-Ft. Laramie (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Tymber Cozzens – Little Snake River (All-State in 2025)

Corbin Matthews – Lusk

Max Potas – Meeteetse (All-State in 2024)

Jace Westring – Saratoga

Hazen Williams – Saratoga

TJ Moats – Southeast (All-State in 2024)

Nic Schiller – Upton

Read More Boys Basketball News from WyoPreps

WyoPreps 1A-2A State Basketball Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps 3A-4A Regional Basketball Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Final Basketball Poll 2026

1A-2A Boys Basketball Regional Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 11 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-25-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 10 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-18-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 9 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-11-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 8 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-4-26

Class 2A

Caleb Adsit – Big Horn

Chase Garber – Big Horn

Carsten Freeburg – Pine Bluffs (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Mason Moss – Rocky Mountain

Oakley Hicks – Shoshoni

Kade Mills – Sundance

Cody Bomengen – Thermopolis (All-State in 2025)

Zak Hastie – Thermopolis

Ellis Webber – Thermopolis (All-State in 2025)

Joseph Kimbrell – Wright

Mitchell Strohschein – Wright (All-State in 2025)

Adriano Brown – Wyoming Indian

Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black – Wyoming Indian (All-State in 2025)

Cordell Spoonhunter – Wyoming Indian

The 2026 state champions were the Saratoga Panthers in Class 1A. They beat Lingle-Fort Laramie, 50-45, in the championship game. The 2A winners were the Thermopolis Bobcats, who repeated as champions, after a 45-38 victory over Wyoming Indian in the title game.

Lusk versus Rock River high school basketball 2026

Game action between the Tigers and Longhorns

Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Lisa Shaw

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Wyoming

New laws establish a statewide literacy program

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

New laws establish a statewide literacy program

A pair of bills signed into law last week aim to build out a more comprehensive system of literacy education across Wyoming’s public schools.

One mandates evidence-based practices and requires regular screenings for dyslexia, while the other enables the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) to hire a dedicated literacy professional to oversee statewide compliance.

Gov. Mark Gordon’s signing of both bills on Friday was the latest accomplishment of an ongoing push for improved literacy standards. That push has been spearheaded by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

“Wyoming is not going to let a single child fall through the cracks,” Degenfelder said during a public bill signing last week. “We are not going to fall behind when it comes to ensuring that our children can read at grade level.”

The primary bill, Senate File 59, establishes a statewide K-12 program for teaching students to read that is built on “evidence based language and literacy instruction, assessment, intervention and professional development that supports educators, engages families and promotes literacy proficiency for all Wyoming students.”

The bill defines evidence-based strategies as those that conform to the science of reading, a term that will be defined and updated by Degenfelder’s office. Nationwide, it generally means putting academic research into practice in classrooms. SF 59 specifically prohibits the exclusive use of “three-cueing” — a strategy once widely employed to teach reading but which education experts now say is outdated and less effective than other strategies.

It also requires annual dyslexia screeners for students below the third grade, and testing for reading difficulties for all students.

The screeners are used to identify the severity of reading difficulties in order to direct “tiered” support that offers the most intensive interventions to the students most in need, while still providing “evidence based” language instruction to all students.

Each school district must formulate an individualized reading plan “for each student identified as having reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes.”

Districts must now report to the state annually regarding their literacy-related work. Any district where 60% or more of the students are struggling will be required to implement “summer literacy camps or extended supports, including after school support and tutoring.”

The bill also requires literacy related professional development for teachers and specialists “appropriate to their role and level of responsibility” related to literacy education.

SF 59 was backed by dyslexia advocates and literacy specialists.

Senate File 14, the other literacy bill signed into law Friday, appropriates $120,000 annually for the next two years for a full-time position at WDE “to assist school districts in implementing a reading assessment and intervention program and language and literacy programs.”

Both bills go into effect July 1.

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