Two Green River police officers were shot Monday by a man sought in connection with a homicide, according to the Green River Police Department.
The department said Lt. Mont Mecham, Wyoming's 1996 Peace Officer of the Year, was in critical condition at a Salt Lake hospital after being shot in the neck. Sgt. Dave Hyer was in good condition at a Sweetwater County hospital after being shot in the arm.The two were allegedly shot by Steve Mitchell, 23, who held police officers at bay outside his home for more than two hours before being apprehended in the house's attic.
According to the department, Mecham and another officer went to Mitchell's Green River home at about 7 a.m. Monday to question him about the death of a 31-year-old woman whose body was found early Monday morning at a Green River trailer court.
The department, in a news release, said when the officers were let into the house, Mitchell began shooting at them, hitting Mecham in the neck.
The second officer returned fire, shooting Mitchell in the hand.
Police surrounded the home and removed other family members as Mitchell retreated into the house.
After firing tear gas canisters into the house, a special police team entered the building, the department said. Hyer was shot as Mitchell fired at officers from the home's attic, it added.
About two hours later, officers went into the attic and apprehended Mitchell.