Wyoming Statutes
Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101 (2026)
Definitions.
✓ current as of May 2026
Find cases:
SyfertCases citing this section
WY-LEGwyoleg.gov
JustiaTitle on Justia
CornellLII Search
CasesGoogle Scholar
(a) As used in W.S. 7-2-101 through 7-2-107: (i) "Deadly weapon" means as defined by W.S. 6-1-104(a)(iv); (ii) "Felony" means as defined by W.S. 6-10-101; (iii) "Misdemeanor" means as defined by W.S. 6-10-101; (iv) "Peace officer" means: (A) Any duly authorized sheriff, under sheriff or deputy sheriff who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707; (B) Any duly authorized member of a municipal police force, a college or university campus police force or the Wyoming highway patrol who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707; (C) Game and fish law enforcement personnel qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707 and: (I) When enforcing felony statutes following observation or discovery of the commission of a felony which was observed or discovered during the performance of their official duties; (II) While responding to requests to assist other peace officers performing their official duties or when enforcing a valid arrest warrant for any crime; (III) When performing their official duties or enforcing any provision of title 23 and chapter 13 of title 41, any rule and regulation promulgated by the Wyoming game and fish commission or any other statute for which they are granted statutory enforcement authority; or (IV) While performing a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection on any watercraft trailer if performed contemporaneously with a hull identification number (HIN) inspection or motorboat certificate of number inspection on a watercraft being carried on the trailer. (D) Agents of the division of criminal investigation appointed pursuant to W.S. 9-1-613 who have qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707; (E) Investigators and brand inspectors of the Wyoming livestock board who have qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707: (I) When enforcing W.S. 6-3-201, 6-3-401, 6-3-402, 6-3-410, 6-3-601 through 6-3-603, 6-3-607, 6-3-610 through 6-3-612, 6-3-1002, 6-3-1003, 6-3-1005, 6-9-202, 35-10- 101, 35-10-102 and 35-10-104, the provisions of title 11 and any laws prohibiting theft, killing or mutilation of livestock or any part thereof and any rule or regulation promulgated by the Wyoming livestock board or any other law for which they are granted statutory enforcement authority; (II) When responding to a request to assist another peace officer as defined in this paragraph performing his official duty; or (III) Enforcing a valid arrest warrant for a crime specified in subdivision (E)(I) of this paragraph. (F) Any duly authorized arson investigator employed by the state fire marshal who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707; (G) Any superintendent, assistant superintendent, district manager, park ranger or reserve park ranger of any state park, state recreation area, state archeological site or state historic site who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707, when acting within the boundaries of the state park, state recreation area, state archeological site or state historic site or when enforcing felony statutes following observation or discovery of the commission of a felony which was observed or discovered during the performance of their official duties; (H) Any duly authorized detention officer in the performance of his duties and who has qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707; (J) Investigators employed by the Wyoming state board of outfitters and professional guides and qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707, when enforcing W.S. 23-2-401 and 23-2-406 through 23-2-418 and board rules and regulations promulgated under W.S. 23-2-410(a)(ii); (K) Any peace officer certified by another state who has been appointed as a special deputy sheriff of a Wyoming county pursuant to W.S. 18-3-602(c); (M) Certified law enforcement officers of an adjoining state while responding to a request for assistance from a peace officer in this state pursuant to the "Law Enforcement Interstate Mutual Aid Act" or other lawful request; (N) The director and full-time staff instructors of the Wyoming law enforcement academy when duly appointed and acting pursuant to W.S. 9-1-633(b); (O) Any duly authorized court security officer employed by the Wyoming supreme court who is qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1-701 through 9-1-707 when: (I) Enforcing Wyoming statutes or supreme court rules on premises where the supreme court is conducting business; (II) In fresh pursuit of a person whom the officer has probable cause to believe has committed within the officer's jurisdiction a violation of a state statute, or for whom an arrest warrant is outstanding for any criminal offense; or (III) When responding to a request to assist other peace officers acting within the scope of their official duties in their own jurisdiction. (P) Any person qualified pursuant to W.S. 9-1- 701 through 9-1-707 and employed by the Wyoming gaming commission when engaged in the performance of that person's duties or when responding to a request to assist other peace officers acting within the scope of their official duties in their own jurisdiction.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1981–2022 · leading case: Vigil v. Ruettgers, 887 P.2d 521 (Wyo. 1994).
Vigil v. Ruettgers, 887 P.2d 521 (Wyo. 1994). “§ 1-39-103 defines peace officer by reference to Wyo.Stat. § 7-2-101 (1987). The Vigils argue that the legislature intended to include Ruettgers, and other training officers at the Wyoming State Penitentiary, in the definition of peace officer.”
Peterson v. Wyoming Game & Fish Comm'n, 989 P.2d 113 (Wyo. 1999). “The Petersons seek to have Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-101 (a)(iv) (Michie Repl.”
Calli Cornella, Phillip Cornella, & Calli & Phillip Cornella as Next Friends of Jpc, Bnc & Spc v. City of Lander, Wyoming, 2022 WY 9 (Wyo. 2022). “§§ 7-2-101 through -107 (LexisNexis 2021), which generally address peace officers’ statutory authority, 5 the court concluded that neither Officer Cox nor Chief Cecrle were acting within the scope of their duties as peace officers at the times relevant to the Cornellas’ claim.”
Hurst v. State, 698 P.2d 1130 (Wyo. 1985). “1984: “As used in W.S. 7-2-101 through 7-2-103 ‘peace officer’ means any duly authorized member of a sheriff’s office, municipal police force, college or university campus police force, the Wyoming highway patrol, game and fish law enforcement personnel qualified pursuant to W.”
United States v. Santiago, 846 F. Supp. 1486 (D. Wyo. 1994). “Nonetheless, Congress determined in the ACA that it would be appropriate to adopt state criminal law as the federal rule of decision for criminal acts that occur on federal property.”
Colyer v. State, Dept. of Transp., 2009 WY 43 (Wyo. 2009). “officer was a "peace officer" within the meaning of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-101 (a)iv), and was, therefore, qualified to detain the appellant under Wyo.”
Olsen v. State, 67 P.3d 536 (Wyo. 2003). “[1 163] Taking another tack, the State also claims that the import of Wyoming's general victim impact statute, § 7-2-101 through 103, is that victim impact testimony is relevant to any sentencing decision and must be considered in a capital case when the sentencing decision is…”
Van Horn v. State, 802 P.2d 883 (Wyo. 1990). “" Those "officers" authorized to execute arrest warrants are labeled "peace officers" under W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv). Accordingly, "[a] peace officer may arrest a person when * * * [he] has a warrant commanding that the person be arrested * * *.”
Boyer-gladden v. Hill, 2010 WY 12 (Wyo. 2010). “§ 1-39-103 (a)(iii) (LexisNexis 2009); Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-101 (a)(iv)(H) (LexisNexis 2009).”
Commonwealth v. Leet, 585 A.2d 1033 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “24 (West 1988)); Wyoming, (Wyo.Stat.Ann. §§ 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A) and 7-2-103 (1987).”
Mora v. State, 984 P.2d 477 (Wyo. 1999). “See Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 7-2-101 (a)(iv), 7-2-102(b)(i), 31-5-901(a), 31-5-910, and 31-5-913 (LEXIS 1999).”
W.A.R.M. v. Bonds, 866 P.2d 1291 (Wyo. 1994). “The act incorporates the definition of “peace officer” found at W.S. 7-2-101 (Cum.Supp.1993), which provides in part: (iv) “Peace officer” means: (A) Any duly authorized sheriff, under sheriff or deputy sheriff who has qualified pursuant to W.”
— Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101(a)(iv) — 3 cases
Vigil v. Ruettgers, 887 P.2d 521 (Wyo. 1994). “§ 1-39-103 defines peace officer by reference to Wyo.Stat. § 7-2-101 (1987). The Vigils argue that the legislature intended to include Ruettgers, and other training officers at the Wyoming State Penitentiary, in the definition of peace officer.”
United States v. Santiago, 846 F. Supp. 1486 (D. Wyo. 1994). “Nonetheless, Congress determined in the ACA that it would be appropriate to adopt state criminal law as the federal rule of decision for criminal acts that occur on federal property.”
Van Horn v. State, 802 P.2d 883 (Wyo. 1990). “" Those "officers" authorized to execute arrest warrants are labeled "peace officers" under W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv). Accordingly, "[a] peace officer may arrest a person when * * * [he] has a warrant commanding that the person be arrested * * *.”
— Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Leet, 585 A.2d 1033 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “24 (West 1988)); Wyoming, (Wyo.Stat.Ann. §§ 7-2-101(a)(iv)(A) and 7-2-103 (1987).”
— Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101(a)(iv)(B) — 1 case
Van Horn v. State, 802 P.2d 883 (Wyo. 1990). “" Those "officers" authorized to execute arrest warrants are labeled "peace officers" under W.S. 7-2-101(a)(iv). Accordingly, "[a] peace officer may arrest a person when * * * [he] has a warrant commanding that the person be arrested * * *.”
— Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101(a)(iv)(C) — 2 cases
Peterson v. Wyoming Game & Fish Comm'n, 989 P.2d 113 (Wyo. 1999). “The Petersons seek to have Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-101 (a)(iv) (Michie Repl.”
Nelson v. State, 960 P.2d 1011 (Wyo. 1998).
— Wyo. Stat. § 7-2-101(iv)(G) — 2 cases
Marshall v. State, Ex Rel. Dept. of Transp., 941 P.2d 42 (Wyo. 1997).
Marshall v. State ex rel. Dep't of Transp., 941 P.2d 42 (Wyo. 1997).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.