A memorial service for the Converse County Sheriff’s Deputy who died while trying to save the life of a young girl took place Saturday morning in Douglas.

 

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Fellow law enforcement officers spoke in broken voices of their lost friend Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Phillip Gross who drowned recently during a rescue operation on the North Platte River in Douglas.

“Bryan’s one of the luckiest people I ever knew. Besides winning the Lotto, everything he touched turned to gold and everyone he met was changed by having had contact with him. When Bryan was young, to describe him as wild would be an understatement. That’s why he had the nickname of Maverick. Bryan treated life like an F14 Tomcat and he always flew everyday by the seat of his pants.”

Deputy  Gross was born in Michigan on August 1st. He was about to turn 30 years old when he died on July 28th.

At the memorial service Saturday at Douglas High School,  were law enforcement representing all corners of Wyoming, some from Colorado, the home state of his new wife, as well as Montana and Nebraska.

The Patriot Guard, present at all such honorings, was out in force with 60 some flags waving in front of the high school.

The Deputy had joined the Converse County Sheriff's Office about three months ago and in late June completed training with his K9 law enforcement partner, Gus.

The occasional forlorn cries of Gus during the memorial service brought additional poignancy to the gathering.

Following the service nearly 200 law enforcement and other agency vehicles joined a procession through the city.

 

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