WLM WLM Summer 2015 | Page 44

WLM | people

A graduate of Casper’s Kelly Walsh
High School, Wetzel obtained a
B.S. in Agricultural Economics
from Oklahoma State University,
with an intent to pursue veterinary
medicine. Propelled by the Navy
legacy of his father and grandfather,
Wetzel entered the Marine Corps
in 1994. His grandfather was
one of the original four men to
stand up the Navy’s Underwater

© Renea Kerr

wrong time. I needed to be born in
the mid-1800’s. I should have been
on the Lewis and Clark expedition,
darn it!” What role did these early
inspirations play in Wetzel’s future?
“One could arguably say, early on,
the Lone Ranger inspired me. Now
at that time, did I ever have any
aspirations or even think of myself
as a police officer, let alone the Chief
of Police? No. Not at all.”
Demolition Teams during WWII –
the UDTs were precursors to the
Navy SEALS. Second Lieutenant
Wetzel accelerated from Surface to
Air Weapons Platoon Commander,
Battery Executive Officer, to
interim Battery Commanding
Officer. In June of 1998, with a
transfer from Yuma, Arizona, to
the Select Marine Corps Reserve

Company B, 4th Reconnaissance
Battalion in Billings, Montana,
promotion escalated to
Reconnaissance Platoon
Commander and Company
Executive Officer.
Returning to Wyoming in August
of 1999, Wetzel joined the Casper
Police Department while continuing

THE HEART AND SOUL OF WYOMING
wyoming ranchers, like the george family, grow america’s
favorite protein: beef. and, they are the heart and soul of all
that you love about wyoming’s western roots.
meet wyoming ranchers at wybeef.com.

heart mountain, near cody, wyoming

44

Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2015