A Sheridan police officer has been suspended following the accidental discharge of his firearm while on duty [1, 2].
The incident raises questions regarding officer safety and training standards within the Sheridan Police Department. It also draws attention to the professional history of the officer involved, who has previously faced disciplinary actions in another jurisdiction.
Rodrigo Basurto is the officer suspended by the department in Sheridan, Wyoming [1, 2]. Authorities said that Basurto unintentionally fired his weapon during the course of his duties [1, 2].
Basurto previously served as a Denver police officer. According to reports, he was fired from the Denver Police Department after making jokes about shooting migrants [1, 2].
Department officials have not released specific details regarding the location of the accidental discharge, or whether any injuries occurred during the event [1, 2]. The suspension remains in effect as the department reviews the circumstances of the discharge.
Sheridan officials have not provided a timeline for when Basurto might return to duty, or if further disciplinary measures will be pursued beyond the current suspension [1, 2].
“A Sheridan police officer has been suspended following the accidental discharge of his firearm while on duty.”
The suspension of Rodrigo Basurto highlights the complexities of law enforcement hiring and retention. When an officer with a history of dismissal for misconduct in one city—such as Basurto's previous tenure in Denver—is hired by another agency, any subsequent safety failures often trigger increased public and administrative scrutiny of the hiring process.
