Sponsored post paid for by John Zerga for Sheriff 2026.
WHY JOHN ZERGA?
- 26+ years serving the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
- Lifelong Fremont County resident
- Proven leadership in Patrol, Investigations, Detention, and Administration
- Committed to supporting Deputies, Detention Officers, Dispatchers, and their families
- Focused on modern technology while minimizing taxpayer costs through federal grants
- Strong partnerships with local, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
- Committed to strengthening responses to Missing Persons and MMIP investigations
After more than 26 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Fremont County, Lieutenant John Zerga is seeking to become Fremont County’s next Sheriff. He brings decades of law enforcement experience and a commitment to steady leadership, accountability, transparency, and professional public service.
Born at Bishop Randall Hospital in Lander and raised in Fremont County, Zerga says this community has always been home.
“I’ve spent nearly my entire life here,” Zerga said. “This county has given so much to me and my family, and I believe it’s my responsibility to continue serving the people who have trusted me throughout my career.”
A graduate of Lander Valley High School and the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, Zerga began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a seasonal Park Ranger at Boysen State Park before joining the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. During the past 26 years, he has served in nearly every division of the Office, including Patrol Deputy, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, and, for the past seven years, Lieutenant, always keeping his eye on the goal of one day becoming Sheriff.
His experience includes patrol operations, criminal investigations, detention operations, budgeting, personnel management, and agency administration.”I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some outstanding law enforcement professionals throughout my career,” Zerga said. “Those experiences have prepared me to lead on day one as Sheriff.”
Supporting the People Who Serve
One of Zerga’s highest priorities is strengthening the Sheriff’s Office by investing in its people.
“Our Deputies, Detention Officers, and Dispatchers are the backbone of public safety,” he said. “Recruiting outstanding employees is essential, but retaining the experienced professionals we already have is just as important. I want to build a culture where employees feel supported, respected, and proud to serve Fremont County.”
Zerga believes in improving morale, expanding professional development opportunities, and ensuring employees have the equipment and leadership they deserve will strengthen the organization while making Fremont County even safer.
Rather than making promises the Sheriff’s Office cannot fulfill on its own, Zerga said he is committed to building a strong working relationship with the County Commission by communicating openly about staffing needs, budget priorities, and the resources required to provide quality public safety services.
“I believe the Sheriff and County Commissioners share the same goal—providing the best possible service to the citizens of Fremont County while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Zerga said. “As Sheriff, I will present transparent budgets, clearly explain our operational needs, and work collaboratively with the Commission to ensure our department has the personnel, equipment, and training necessary to serve our communities safely and effectively.”While Zerga said adding deputies may be appropriate as the county continues to grow and service demands increase, he emphasized that any staffing increases must be supported through the county’s budgeting process and balanced with responsible fiscal management.
Modern Technology for Better Public Safety
Preparing the Sheriff’s Office for the future through modern technology is another cornerstone of Zerga’s campaign.
His priorities include equipping Deputies with laptops, mobile data terminals, body-worn cameras, electronic citation systems, and Starlink connectivity for patrol vehicles. He also intends to work with the Fremont County Commissioners to employ a grant writer or train qualified Sheriff’s Office employees in grant writing so the Office can aggressively pursue federal funding.
“Every minute a Deputy spends driving back to the office to complete reports is time they’re unavailable to patrol our communities,” Zerga said. “Modern technology keeps Deputies in the field where they belong—serving the public. Starlink also helps keep Deputies connected with Dispatch in remote areas of Fremont County, improving officer safety when traditional communication systems are limited.”
Building Strong Partnerships
Throughout his career, Zerga has developed strong working relationships with Municipal Police Departments, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Tribal Law Enforcement, and other public safety partners. He has worked closely with the past two Tribal Police Chiefs, as well as the current Chief, and remains committed to strengthening those partnerships.
“Communication and cooperation between agencies make all of us more effective,” Zerga said. “When we work together, we provide better service and safer communities for everyone in Fremont County.”
Recognizing the growing impact of mental health and substance abuse, Zerga has recently met with members of the Lander Police Department and regional Mental Health Providers to discuss improving services both within the Detention Center and throughout the community.”Law enforcement cannot solve these challenges alone,” he said. “We need strong partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, local governments, treatment professionals, and community organizations to connect people with the help they need while improving public safety.”
Strengthening Missing Persons Investigations
Another major priority for Zerga is strengthening Fremont County’s response to missing persons investigations, particularly those involving children and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).
“Every missing person case—especially those involving children—must be treated with urgency from the very first call,” Zerga said. “These investigations often cross city, county, tribal, state, and federal jurisdictions, making immediate coordination essential.”
Along with his strong working relationship with all other agencies, he also supports creating a Victim-Witness Coordinator or Family Liaison to provide consistent communication with families, connect them with available resources, and ensure important information is shared throughout an investigation. “The faster we share information, coordinate resources, and work together, the greater the chance of bringing someone home safely.”
Serving Every Community
As Sheriff, Zerga says he will maintain an open-door policy and remain accessible to residents throughout Fremont County.
“I want every citizen to know their Sheriff’s Office works for them,” he said. “Whether you live in Lander, Riverton, Dubois, Shoshoni, Hudson, Pavillion, Jeffrey City, Atlantic City, rural Fremont County, or on the Wind River Reservation, you deserve professional, fair, and respectful service.”
Grounded by his faith and decades of public service, Zerga believes leadership is built on integrity rather than empty promises.
“I don’t believe in making promises I can’t keep,” he said. “I believe in honesty, accountability, hard work, and leading by example. I’ve asked God to place me where I can best serve, and if elected, I will work every day to earn the trust of the people of Fremont County.”
Experienced Leadership. Proven Service. A Vision for the Future.With more than 26 years of dedicated service, Lieutenant John Zerga believes the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, under his leadership, will be professional, accountable, and committed to every community it serves. Through experienced leadership, modern technology, strong partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to public service, he says he is prepared to lead the Sheriff’s Office into the future.
VOTE ZERGA FOR FREMONT COUNTY SHERIFF
- 26+ years serving the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
- Lifelong Fremont County resident
- Proven leadership in Patrol, Investigations, Detention, and Administration
- Committed to supporting Deputies, Detention Officers, Dispatchers, and their families
- Focused on modern technology while minimizing taxpayer costs through federal grants
- Strong partnerships with local, tribal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
- Committed to strengthening responses to Missing Persons and MMIP investigations
YOUR VOICE. YOUR SAFETY. YOUR SHERIFF.
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