Imagine a hulking COP SUV rolling up with the unmistakable swagger of Clint Eastwood in High Plains Drifter — dust kicking up, lights flashing, and the unmistakable “Bad Boys” theme from Cops blaring as it approaches. You don’t have to just picture it. In Laramie County, Wyoming, this dream is now reality.
Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak wanted something different for the department’s newest recruiting vehicle. Standard fleet graphics? Boring. Instead, he tapped Cheyenne mural artist Jordan Dean to create a “Clint Eastwood High Plains Drifter” look that screams Western Wyoming. The result is a white Dodge Durango covered in dynamic artwork: a wild-eyed cowboy on horseback charging forward with purpose, mane whipping in the wind, evoking frontier justice and untamed spirit.
“It looks pretty badass,” Kozak said, and the compliments have poured in nonstop. The vehicle squats low and mean, designed to turn heads rather than blend in. Dean, known for massive public murals including Cheyenne’s water tanks, delivered exactly what the sheriff envisioned — motion, action, and unmistakable Wyoming pride. Early concepts leaned toward a Wyatt Earp-style lawman, but the final design captures a hard-charging, larger-than-life Western hero perfectly suited to the open plains.
This isn’t just eye candy. Assigned to Cpl. Heather Wilson in the hiring unit, the cruiser serves as a rolling billboard for recruitment. In an era when many law enforcement agencies struggle with vacancies — Laramie County maintains about a 10% vacancy rate across its roughly 240 positions — standing out matters. The design sparks conversations: “Hey, what’s with this car?” Deputies then pivot to career opportunities.
Practical recruiting features enhance the appeal. A pull-out TV screen plays hiring videos at events. Soon, a PlayStation loaded with a pursuit-driving game will let kids climb in and experience the thrill. The vehicle packs an “almost absurd” amount of emergency lighting for real-world duty, plus novelty touches — push a button and it blasts the national anthem or that iconic Cops theme song. Perfect for making an entrance.
The cruiser made its public debut at a Cheyenne downtown summer event, drawing families eager to explore inside. It’s already turned heads beyond Wyoming borders. During a recent leadership training in Colorado, Denver-area officers called it the coolest car they’d ever seen.
In a state where cowboy culture runs deep, Sheriff Kozak’s vision proves that sometimes the best way to recruit is to embody the spirit of the West. This isn’t just a patrol vehicle — it’s a statement. When it rolls up playing those familiar notes, folks notice. And in Laramie County, that swagger is working overtime to keep the badge shining bright.