TUESDAY, September 8, 2026|
Photo – SPD patch – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials voted to hire a former Crook County deputy sheriff as the town’s newest police officer.
During the June 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore reported that after K‑9 handler Sergeant Casey Lehr’s departure, he was down an officer. He asked the governing body for permission to advertise for the open position. At the time, the Saratoga Police Department had four full‑time officers, including Chief Moore. The council voted to allow the chief to search for a new police officer.
During the September 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Chief Moore said he had interviewed Troy Skeens, a former deputy sheriff of Crook County, for the open position. He described Skeens as highly experienced and interested in relocating to Saratoga. Moore asked for authorization to offer him the job.
Chief Moore explained that Skeens began his law enforcement career in Colorado, then moved to the Nebraska Highway Patrol, and has spent the last 12 years working in Sundance and Crook County, where he was serving as deputy sheriff.
Moore said Skeens can begin working for the Saratoga Police Department within two weeks, assuming he passes a mandatory background check. The chief added that he doesn’t believe Skeens will need a psychological test because he was very recently employed as a law enforcement officer, which would allow him to be placed on active duty sooner than if the exam were required.
Chief Moore said the applicant’s prior experience will also allow for a shorter field officer training period.
Councilman Jerry Fluty asked why Skeens left his previous position. Chief Moore said he ran an unsuccessful campaign to replace Crook County Sheriff Jeff Hodge.
In the 2026 Crook County primary elections, Deputy Sheriff Troy Skeens received 671 votes. Sheriff Jeff Hodge finished with 2,152, preventing Skeens from advancing to the November ballot.
Back at the September 2nd Saratoga Town Council meeting, Chief Moore said Skeens currently lives in Sundance, Wyoming, a community similar in size to Saratoga. He added that the officer’s family is already accustomed to living in rural Wyoming, a factor that often deters potential applicants.
Chief Moore said he was satisfied with the candidate, and the Town Council unanimously voted to hire Troy Skeens to the Saratoga Police Department at a starting wage of $29.26 an hour, pending a successful background check.
