Mother of the man who killed Sheridan Police Sergeant Nevada Krinkee is sentenced

Eileen Marie Hurley, 71, of Sheridan, Wyoming, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison with one year of supervised release for transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person and for making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson on Oct. 1, 2025, in Cheyenne.

According to court documents, in May 2022, the defendant purchased three handguns and matching ammunition for her son, William Lowery in Sheridan. She specifically filled out Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) forms wherein she swore that she was the actual purchaser of the handguns. The defendant then gave them to Lowery even though she knew he was legally prohibited from possessing them due to his prior felony and domestic violence convictions.

On Feb. 13, 2024, Sheridan Police Sergeant Nevada Krinkee encountered Lowery when he served Lowery with a trespass notice outside a rental home where Lowery had been evicted. When Sergeant Krinkee attempted to restrain him, Lowery pulled a handgun from his waistband and shot Sergeant Krinkee several times in the presence of witnesses. Sergeant Krinkee sadly died from his injuries. Lowery was eventually shot and killed by law enforcement after a 30-hour standoff when he attempted to flee, armed with a rifle. Law enforcement found one of the pistols, purchased by the defendant, in the bathroom of the house where Lowery was barricaded. The other two handguns with ammunition purchased in 2022 by the defendant, were in Lowery's truck.

In an initial interview with the ATF and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the defendant claimed she did not have "any idea where he [Lowery] got those guns." Text messages exchanged between the defendant and her son indicated that she was specifically buying the guns for him despite knowing that her son was a violent felon, repeat domestic violence perpetrator, and drug addict. The ATF and DCI investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Hammer and Margaret Vierbuchen prosecuted the crime.

U.S. Attorney Darin Smith said, "If you buy a gun for a known violent prohibited person and they use that gun to commit a violent crime, you will be prosecuted. Although we cannot prevent all violent crime, this is the first line of defense in keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals who are a danger to our communities. We offer our support and condolences to the Krinkee family and the Sheridan Police Department. The government cannot obtain justice for the murder of Sgt. Krinkee, but others will now think twice before becoming a firearm straw-purchaser due to the precedent set in this case."

"Having first served our country in the U.S. Army and later his community as a sergeant with the Sheridan Police Department, Sergeant Nevada Krinkee truly exemplified what it means to "protect and serve," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. "Tragically, his life was taken by a violent felon armed with a gun that was illegally purchased and transferred. Today's verdict cannot bring back the son, father, husband, and friend that so many love. But we hope it serves as a powerful reminder: straw purchasing is not just illegal, it's preventable and can have deadly consequences."

"Today's sentencing brings a mix of emotions for all of us. While it provides some accountability, it also reminds us of the deep pain caused by the loss of Sgt. Nevada Krinkee. Nothing can make our department or community whole again, but each step toward justice helps us continue healing and honoring Nevada's memory. We are extremely grateful to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Attorney's Office, who worked tirelessly to see this case through," said Chief of Police for the Sheridan Police Department Travis Koltiska.

This case was brought as a result of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).