 - Lander Police Department Sgt. Trenton Maus received a commendation for exemplary work last month recognizing his “exceptional judgment, initiative and composure” during an investigation into the reported kidnapping of three local juveniles by their noncustodial parent.){kind=link}
(Lander, WY) – Lander Police Department Sgt. Trenton Maus received a commendation for exemplary work last month recognizing his “exceptional judgment, initiative and composure” during an investigation into the reported kidnapping of three local juveniles by their noncustodial parent.
The investigation began Nov. 14, when the juveniles’ custodial parent called the LPD to report that the children were missing, Interim Chief Kelly Waugh told the Lander City Council during a Nov. 25 meeting.
“They were supposed to be home by 1, (but) it was upwards of 4 o’ clock, and nobody had heard from the children,” Waugh said, adding that one of the juveniles “had very severe medical diabetic issues.”
Maus took the call and responded to the situation with “professionalism, leadership and (a) commitment to excellence,” Waugh said in his commendation letter.
More specifically, during last month’s council meeting Waugh said Moss did “a substantial amount of work on the back end” during the investigation, researching the case, submitting search warrants, contacting outside agencies, and following leads – including the “tip” that revealed that the children had been kidnapped by their noncustodial parent and taken to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Maus relayed that information to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Highway Patrol, and law enforcement agencies in Sioux Falls, Waugh said, and in the end the noncustodial parent was located, arrested, and charged with six felonies.
“The three children were taken into protective custody – but not until after the diabetic child was seen by medical professionals at a hospital,” Waugh said, noting that “the amount of work that (Maus) put into this potentially saved these children’s lives.”
“Law enforcement agencies are usually pretty quick, when things move out of our jurisdiction, (to) just do our part and let them go,” Waugh explained. “That did not happen (on) this day. …
“To me, that is the act of exemplary police work, and I’m very proud of him for doing that.”
Waugh’s commendation letter also recognizes Maus for his “positive attitude and consistent support of (his) team,” which “set a standard for others to follow.”
“Your conduct exemplifies the highest ideals of law enforcement service,” the letter says. “Thank you for your continued dedication and service.”