The City Council of Sheridan, Wyoming, has agreed to compensate a woman with $250,000 after her home was destroyed during a standoff in February involving police and a suspect in the killing of a police officer.
Along with the settlement, the Council also decided to waive $27,000 in fees related to the construction of a new house for Karo Hamilton, who was not present during the standoff.
Hamilton’s insurance company, Farmers Insurance, has already paid $217,000 under her homeowner’s policy, adding to the total cost of rebuilding the new home, estimated at $490,000 at the site of the destroyed residence, as stated by Sheridan City Attorney Brad Timmesch.
As part of the agreement, Hamilton and her insurer have agreed to withdraw all claims against the city and other law enforcement agencies involved in the standoff.
“It’s been a long journey, but I’m pleased that we can finally fully compensate her,” expressed Sheridan Mayor Richard Bridger during the council meeting.
The day of the standoff marked one of the most tragic events in Sheridan’s recent history. It commenced when police officer Nevada Krinkee attempted to execute a trespassing warrant on the suspect, 46-year-old William Franklin Lowery. Krinkee was fatally shot and Lowery barricaded himself inside Hamilton’s residence. Despite Hamilton’s mother being inside, she managed to escape along with her two dogs.
The standoff persisted for 30 hours, during which law enforcement utilized various tactics to remove Lowery from the property, eventually demolishing it. Lowery attempted to flee but was ultimately shot and killed by the police.
