Law enforcement officer faces murder charge for Lander bar fight death 

Federal law enforcement officer Richard “Deak” Dollard faces second-degree murder charges for a Friday night fight in a Lander bar that resulted in the death of local resident Evan Denevan, court documents show. 

Two other men, Jesse Dollard and Justin Dollard, were also arrested Tuesday and face accessory to second-degree murder charges. Justin and Richard are brothers. Justin is Jesse’s father. 

Investigators say Richard Dollard is a “certified law enforcement officer.” Lander Police Chief Kelly Waugh told the Lander City Council on Tuesday that Richard Dollard worked for the Bureau of Land Management, according to several reports. A LinkedIn account identifies him as a field staff law enforcement ranger. 

At about 11:15 Friday night, the Lander Police Department received a call about a fight at the Maverick Lounge on Lander’s Main Street. According to investigators’ account of the incident in court affidavits, the caller told police that Denevan was “not breathing, he’s all purple.” 

When officers arrived, they saw Denevan lying on his back in a corner of the lounge near the pool tables, investigators say. Bystanders were trying to render aid to Denevan, and the officers began giving medical care. Officers didn’t feel Denevan’s carotid pulse. Medics arrived, but Denevan ultimately died from his injuries. 

Several witnesses at the scene told officers that Richard Dollard had choked Denevan, the affidavits state. 

Investigators say they reviewed video footage preceding the fight that showed Jesse becoming “visibly upset” and gesturing toward Denevan. The affidavits describe what happened next: 

Bystanders held Jesse Dollard back. Justin Dollard approached Denevan. Denevan removed his hat and glasses. They appeared to argue. Justin Dollard then pushed Denevan in the chest. Denevan fell backward against a wall and then advanced toward Justin Dollard. People tried to separate the two. 

Jesse Dollard then approached Denevan and punched him as Denevan punched back. Bystanders pushed Jesse Dollard back as Justin Dollard advanced and also punched Denevan. 

According to the affidavits, Richard Dollard then approached the area and put his arm around Denevan’s neck, choking him from behind. While Richard Dollard choked Denevan, Justin Dollard was pulling Denevan’s sweatshirt hood over Denevan’s head, moving Denevan’s head and neck in the opposite direction from Richard Dollard’s grip, authorities say. 

Richard Dollard held the choke for roughly 26 to 27 seconds before appearing to fall and release his grip, investigators allege. Denevan fell to the floor. Witnesses said that Justin Dollard then kicked Denevan in the torso. 

The Dollards moved back to the other side of the bar. Jesse Dollard later told detectives that the Dollards “began getting ‘death threats’ and left the area.” None of them tried to help Denevan. 

Justin Dollard told detectives in an interview that Denevan had previously said he would “whip” him and “has threatened to fight” Justin Dollard and his son Jesse Dollard. Justin Dollard said that Denevan began yelling at him and Jesse Dollard, telling them “if you come over here, I will kick your ass.” 

The Lander Police Department worked with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Fremont County Attorney’s Office to conduct the investigation. Waugh previously told WyoFile that the division became involved to provide more resources and “boots on the ground.”