Cheyenne Police Investigate In-Custody Death

Published on January 23, 2026

The Cheyenne Police Department is investigating an in-custody death that occurred early Sunday morning.

On Sunday, January 18, around 1:17 a.m., officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of West 9th Street and Deming Drive.

Upon arrival, officers located a maroon pickup truck parked on the sidewalk. The truck appeared to have struck a guardrail before coming to rest off of the roadway in a grassy area.

According to a review of body-worn camera and in-car camera video, officers began searching the surrounding area for the driver. During their search, they observed a man running along Deming Drive. Officers contacted the individual, and through their investigation, learned he was the owner of the truck.

The man showed signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming alcohol. He was detained, and prior to handcuffing, officers removed a pocketknife from his front pocket. The man was then seated in a police car and transported back to the crash scene.

While the man was secured in the police car, officers briefly stepped away to assess the crash scene and prepared to begin a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) investigation.

During this time, the man was able to move his handcuffed hands from behind his body to the front of his body and retrieve a concealed firearm from inside his pants. Upon return to the vehicle, officers discovered he used the firearm to take his own life.

Officers began to administer first aid until medical personnel arrived. The man was later pronounced deceased on scene.

“This is a tremendous loss for the decedent’s family and loved ones,” said Chief Mark Francisco. “Any in-custody death is a matter of deep concern for our department - this is never the intended outcome when officers respond to moments of crisis. Our officers approached this situation with patience and compassion, with the intent of helping the individual. We are thoroughly evaluating what occurred and will take appropriate steps based on that review.”

If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a trained counselor, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7, and reaching out can make a difference.