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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
DEP Wes Johnston (2005-Present)
Sublette County Sheriff's Office
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
During my high school years I was impressed with the San Diego County (CA) Sheriff's Department because of the cool things they got to do. At the time they had helicopters and dirt bikes - WOW! Immediately after high school (1973) I began taking college classes with a  major in Criminology. I was lacking direction and self discipline so, being the son and grandson of Marines, I joined the Marine Corps. After the Corps, I re-entered college back in my home state of Wyoming with an eye on becoming a Game Warden. I never became a Warden but did have a thirty year career with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in a non-enforcement position. I had friends that worked at the Sheriff's Office and I went to lunch one day with three SCSO Sergeants. One told me that I ought to come work with them and the other two jumped in. I asked them a bunch of questions then later that evening I asked another Deputy even more. My dear wife supported my decision so I submitted an application. In a few weeks I went to lunch with my G&F supervisor and gave him my two-week notice - it was time to do something different.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I began working as a Detention Deputy and after FTO, I attended the Detention Officer Basic Class at the Wyoming Academy at age 50. Due to my age, life experience and years in supervisory positions with the Marines, Army National Guard, Game & Fish and Pinedale Fire Dept, the Sheriff  asked me to assume the recently vacated Jail Administrator position (Lieutenant) after only 11 months with the Department. I told the Sheriff that I would give him an honest two years in that position before I would start seeking a position on the Patrol side of the department. As I was approaching the two year mark, the Sheriff sent me back to the Academy for the Peace Officer Basic Class, this time at age 53. I will admit that there are advantages to being older and wearing Lieutenant bars on your collar while attending the Academy! When I returned from the Academy, the Sheriff had re-organized the Department and I was now wearing Captain's bars. Several months later there were openings in Patrol and the Sheriff gave me the option of remaining as a Captain or going to the road. I happily traded my Captain bars for the keys to a Patrol vehicle.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
As mentioned before, I served one enlistment in the Marine Corps. My primary MOS was Engineer Equipment Mechanic but I also obtained a secondary MOS as a Marksmanship Instructor. I served as the Company Training NCO for Service Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Div., and was able to shoot  with some excellent marksmen at the Marine Corps Western Division Matches in 1976. I left the Marines as a Corporal, went to college and was well into my career with the Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. when I joined the Wyoming Army National Guard. I began my time with the Guard as a Heavy Equipment Operator running bulldozers, scrapers, graders and having a blast building roads in Wyoming and places like the Aguan River Valley in Honduras. I left the Guard as a Construction Supervisor, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant when the Game & Fish transferred me to my home town, Pinedale. My time with the military helped me develop leadership and decision making skills that have served me well as a Deputy as well as other parts of my life. The training and experience gained from the military I would only trade for one thing - to go back in time and spend more time with my family.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
 I have had both good and bad times with each and every organization I have worked for. I have always tried to see the positive in any situation I find myself in. In Law Enforcement I would have to pick when our former Sheriff, Wayne "Bardy" Bardin, selected me to take over as the Jail Administrator. At that time the jail was going through a difficult period and morale was low. There were four Sergeants in the jail that really should have been in line for the job so I was sure they would be ticked off that I may jump over them. I went to them and discussed my dilemma but received the support of all four and am proud to claim them as friends to this day. One, Pamela Debban, has since retired from the Department. The other three, Steve Dunning, Ryan Day and Dan Ruby are all Partol Deputies, still working with me on the road.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
These will actually be another of my fondest memories but I will put them here because of the impact on my personal life.
While I was still the Lieutenant of the Detention Center, the Sheriff hired my youngest son, Bridger, as a Detention Deputy (when he applied, by agreement with  the Sheriff, I kept myself completely out of the hiring, testing and interview process). It was one of the proud moments in my life to attend his graduation at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and be allowed the opportunity to present his diploma.
As the Lieutenant, and then Captain, I was constantly recruiting and hiring personnel. One of the fine young men that I hired, and later promoted to Sergeant was Chad Goodsell. He had the audacity to begin dating the Captain's daughter. For his expliots, he received heaping rations of crap from his fellow Detention staff, but to his credit he eventually asked me for my daughter's hand and they were married. It's not every father that can say he ran a criminal backround check on his son-in-law! They have given us a beautiful grandaughter (one of five grand children!). Chad is just now making the transition from the jail to patrol.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 I am particularly proud that I won the High Shooter Award at both of the Basic Classes that I attended at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. I was taught to shoot by my father, LtCol Gordon Johnston, USMC Ret, who also shot in competitions in the Marine Corps. He is gone now, but was so proud to see that I remembered the "basics" that he instilled in me at a young age. Thanks Dad!
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
A few years before I left the Game and Fish Department my good friend, Toby Terrell, resigned his position as a highly respected high school teacher to become a Deputy Sheriff. Toby's dedication to the safety and well being of the citizens of Sublette County is nothing short of inspirational. After I was asked by the Sergeants, he was the one that I went to when I began seriously thinking about the career change. Toby's insight and forthright honest answers to my questions eased my transition into law enforcement and I will forever be greatful. Toby is now a Detective with our Department.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
Always keep in mind that you are here to keep the public you serve safe and be Just in your decisions. Not everyone that can be cited NEEDS to be cited and not everyone that can be arrested NEEDS to be arrested. Conversely, don't be afraid to cite or arrest the ones that deserve it!
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
 While off duty I find myself much more cognizant of my surroundings, observing people around me and my family, watching for threats - drives the wife nuts! I also try to remember that I should be "setting the example" by doing simple things like following the speed limit (note, I said TRY!). I hope that my change in career has not changed the way I handle relationships with friends and family outside the department. However, I have noticed that a few "friends" don't seem to say hi anymore - maybe it's me, maybe not. It is kinda sad though.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 I will tell new Deputies that are going through the FTO program to oberve their different training officers, emulate the things that they see as important and honerable - then be their own officer but, take to heart everything that deals with officer safety so they can return to their families at the end of every shift. From me, I hope they take away what I listed above as my most important lesson.
Always keep in mind that you are here to keep the public you serve safe and be just in your decisions. Conduct your actions in a way that you feel best serves JUSTICE. Not everyone that can be cited NEEDS to be cited and not everyone that can be arrested NEEDS to be arrested. Conversely, don't be afraid to cite or arrest the ones that deserve it!
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
I see this website as a valuable communications tool between Police Officers in all departments, big and small, across the country. There is a wealth of knowledge to be shared. The ability to display your entire service career in a single well organized page serves as a great resume as well as something tangible to pass on to children and their children.
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major in Criminology. I was lacking direction and self discipline so, being the son and grandson of Marines, I joined the Marine Corps. After the Corps, I re-entered college back in my home state of Wyoming with an eye on becoming a Game Warden. I never became a Warden but did have a thirty year career with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in a non-enforcement position. I had friends that worked at the Sheriff's Office and I went to lunch one day with three SCSO Sergeants. One told me that I ought to come work with them and the other two jumped in. I asked them a bunch of questions then later that evening I asked another Deputy even more. My dear wife supported my decision so I submitted an application. In a few weeks I went to lunch with my G&F supervisor and gave him my two-week notice - it was time to do something different.
asked me to assume the recently vacated Jail Administrator position (Lieutenant) after only 11 months with the Department. I told the Sheriff that I would give him an honest two years in that position before I would start seeking a position on the Patrol side of the department. As I was approaching the two year mark, the Sheriff sent me back to the Academy for the Peace Officer Basic Class, this time at age 53. I will admit that there are advantages to being older and wearing Lieutenant bars on your collar while attending the Academy! When I returned from the Academy, the Sheriff had re-organized the Department and I was now wearing Captain's bars. Several months later there were openings in Patrol and the Sheriff gave me the option of remaining as a Captain or going to the road. I happily traded my Captain bars for the keys to a Patrol vehicle.
with some excellent marksmen at the Marine Corps Western Division Matches in 1976. I left the Marines as a Corporal, went to college and was well into my career with the Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. when I joined the Wyoming Army National Guard. I began my time with the Guard as a Heavy Equipment Operator running bulldozers, scrapers, graders and having a blast building roads in Wyoming and places like the Aguan River Valley in Honduras. I left the Guard as a Construction Supervisor, holding the rank of Staff Sergeant when the Game & Fish transferred me to my home town, Pinedale. My time with the military helped me develop leadership and decision making skills that have served me well as a Deputy as well as other parts of my life. The training and experience gained from the military I would only trade for one thing - to go back in time and spend more time with my family. 
the Sheriff, I kept myself completely out of the hiring, testing and interview process). It was one of the proud moments in my life to attend his graduation at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and be allowed the opportunity to present his diploma. 
