The Mascorro Case: Forced Entry, Federal Suit, Lost Certification

The Mike Mascorro Thermopolis case involves a Wyoming police sergeant who broke down the door of Buck Laramore’s home on April 28, 2023, to arrest him for a misdemeanor, shot and killed Laramore in the ensuing gunfight, was found to have entered the home illegally but could not be criminally charged, and has since resigned, surrendered his law enforcement certification, and been sued in federal court by Laramore’s widow and mother.

What Happened on April 28, 2023

Two days before the shooting, Thermopolis police arrested a McDonald’s employee with a methamphetamine pipe. That employee named a coworker, 33-year-old Buck Laramore, as someone he had smoked meth with earlier that day.¹

On the morning of April 28, Sergeant Mike Mascorro and a deputy went to the McDonald’s. A drug-detection dog alerted on a men’s restroom baby changing station, and Mascorro identified Laramore as the last person to have used that restroom. During questioning, Laramore gave an incorrect birth year, misspelled his own last name, refused to give his home address, and refused a drug test.²

Mascorro then called Hot Springs County Deputy County Attorney Kelly Owens, who confirmed probable cause for a misdemeanor interference charge and suggested that Mascorro simply issue Laramore a citation. Mascorro chose to seek an arrest instead.²

About three hours later, Mascorro arrived alone at Laramore’s trailer on Canyon Hills Drive and told him he was going to jail. Laramore refused, closed the door, and threw the deadbolt. Mascorro rammed the door with his shoulder, breaking the lock and the doorjamb, and entered without a warrant. Laramore was waiting with a .45-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and fired one shot that struck Mascorro in the arm, chest, and lung. Mascorro returned fire from the floor, shooting seven times. Laramore retreated to a bedroom, then reemerged, and Mascorro fired again and killed him. Laramore’s wife Brandi was in the home.²¹

Mascorro was airlifted to a Casper hospital and survived. A subsequent search of the home turned up methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug distribution paraphernalia.² It was the first police-involved killing in Thermopolis history.³

Why Mascorro Was Not Criminally Charged

Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe, appointed as special prosecutor, issued a decision letter on September 21, 2023 with two conclusions that pull in opposite directions.

He found that Mascorro’s entry was illegal. Erramouspe rejected the “fresh pursuit” theory, reasoning that an officer cannot force his way into a home without a warrant over a misdemeanor committed hours earlier absent probable cause that the suspect would flee, harm someone, or destroy evidence. The prosecutor called the idea that Laramore would quit his job, pack up, and leave town to dodge a misdemeanor “far-fetched,” and noted that body camera footage showed Laramore’s refusal to answer questions “bothered Mascorro,” who then disregarded the county attorney’s suggestion to issue a citation.⁴

Even so, Erramouspe concluded that Mascorro could not be prosecuted for the killing. Wyoming’s self-defense statute bars criminal charges against a person who uses reasonable defensive force. The state’s castle doctrine ordinarily presumes a homeowner’s fear of an intruder is reasonable, but the statute carves out an exception when the intruder is a police officer acting in the performance of official duties.⁵ Because Mascorro was on duty when the shooting began, the castle doctrine did not shield Laramore, and Mascorro’s return fire was treated as lawful self-defense. Erramouspe called the shooting a “completely avoidable incident” but said the statute blocked criminal charges.⁶ His analysis addressed only criminal liability; he explicitly left civil claims open.²

Mascorro’s Prior Use-of-Force Record

Complaints filed starting in July 2022 had already prompted the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission to investigate Mascorro over four use-of-force incidents: a 2018 takedown that left a suspect needing nine stitches, a 2020 arrest in which he was accused of kicking a non-compliant suspect to the ground, a 2021 escalation at the One-Eyed Buffalo saloon, and allegations that he improperly arrested people on probation or parole after failed drug tests.⁷

POST closed that investigation on April 21, 2023, one week before the Laramore shooting, finding no clear and convincing evidence of violations. Mascorro was cleared on all counts and received an oral reprimand for delaying activation of his body camera during the 2018 incident.⁷

The Town’s Response and Return to Duty

The shooting split Thermopolis. A change.org petition launched on October 9, 2023 called for Mascorro’s removal and gathered more than 1,200 signatures, citing what supporters described as a pattern of escalation and unlawful behavior. At a November 2023 town council meeting, roughly 30 residents debated his future; some called him a bully, and others, including former Mayor Mike Chimenti, defended him as an effective drug enforcement officer.⁸

In February 2024, the town released a 10-minute narrated video edited from nearly four hours of body camera footage. The edit left out Mascorro’s call with the county attorney’s office about his arrest authority and much of his interview with Laramore at the McDonald’s, and it emphasized Mascorro’s stated concern that Laramore would flee, the same claim the special prosecutor had called far-fetched. Mascorro had also watched his own body camera footage several times before being formally interviewed by investigators.²

In June 2024, Mascorro returned to full duty after months of administrative leave and desk assignment. Mayor Adam Estenson said the town believed Mascorro “did not violate policy or the law,” rejecting the special prosecutor’s finding on the entry, and acknowledged that POST might still hold an administrative hearing.⁹

The Federal Wrongful Death Lawsuit

On April 28, 2025, exactly two years after the shooting, Laramore’s widow Brandi and his mother Debra filed a civil rights suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming. Laramore et al v. Thermopolis WY et al, Case No. 1:2025cv00105, is brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and names Mascorro individually and the Town of Thermopolis.¹⁰

The complaint, filed by attorney Jack D. Edwards, asserts eight claims: failure to train, inadequate customs and policies (a Monell municipal liability claim), warrantless home entry in violation of Laramore’s constitutional rights, excessive force, wrongful death through negligence, general negligence, infliction of emotional distress on the family, and vicarious liability. The plaintiffs argue the department’s failure to supervise Mascorro despite his history of use-of-force complaints led to a preventable death. They seek $3 million in compensatory damages, plus punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial.¹¹¹²

Mascorro has denied wrongdoing and asserted qualified immunity, arguing his actions were taken in good faith and were objectively reasonable within the scope of his duties. Both defendants have moved to dismiss.¹³ A jury trial is scheduled for September 14, 2026, before District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl.¹⁰

Resignation and Loss of Certification

Eight days after the lawsuit was filed, on May 6, 2025, the Thermopolis Town Council accepted Mascorro’s resignation following an executive session on litigation and employment. Council member Rachel Hughes cast the only vote against accepting it.¹⁴

In July 2025, Mascorro reached a settlement with POST under which he surrendered his law enforcement certification. Director Robert Terry called it a simple surrender and noted Mascorro continued to deny any wrongdoing. On July 24, 2025, all seven POST commissioners voted unanimously to approve the decertification, barring Mascorro from working as a police officer anywhere in Wyoming.⁴

Who Buck Laramore Was

Buck Laramore was born on December 17, 1989, to Rodney “Rocky” Torix and Debra Laramore-Fenton. He was 33 at his death and worked at the Thermopolis McDonald’s. He was survived by his wife Brandi and two stepdaughters, Alona Wilkerson and Cami Russell.¹⁵

1
Oil City News. Wrongful Death Suit Challenges Thermopolis Cop for Illegally Entering Home
2
Cowboy State Daily. Thermopolis Releases Edited Body Cam Video of Deadly Shootout With Officer
3
News from the States. Wrongful Death Suit Challenges Thermopolis Cop for Illegally Entering Home
4
Cowboy State Daily. Officer Who Set Off Fatal Shootout Gives Up Certification
5
Justia Law. WY Stat § 6-2-602
6
Oil City News. Thermopolis Officer Involved in Deadly Shooting Cleared by DCI
7
Cowboy State Daily. DCI: Thermopolis Cop Cleared of Other Complaints Prior to Killing Suspect
8
Cowboy State Daily. Thermopolis Residents Defend Cop Who Broke in, Killed Suspect
9
Town of Thermopolis. Town of Thermopolis News Release
10
Justia Dockets. Laramore et al v. Thermopolis WY et al
11
Cowboy State Daily. Wife and Mother Sue Thermopolis Police for Warrant-less Break-in and Shooting Death
12
Wyo Today. Thermopolis PD Sued by Family of Man Killed Over Misdemeanor
13
Cowboy State Daily. Former Thermopolis Police Sergeant Claims Qualified Immunity in Fatal Shootout
14
Cowboy State Daily. Thermopolis Police Sergeant Who Triggered Fatal Shootout 2 Years Ago Resigns
15
County 10. In Loving Memory: Buck Laramore