EVANSTON — Four men joined the Evanston Police force on Monday, July 24. Wesley Robertson, Aaron Cheney, Cody Saloga and Jacob Singleterry were sworn in and officially inducted into the police force. 

“We often think about what’s important in our agency,” said Lt. Mike Vranish before the ceremony began. “... One thing we have found out with this cycle is how impossible it is to find quality people to fill positions of our police officers, and I believe we’re very fortunate today.”

Chief Jon Kirby agreed.

 “We’ve been fortunate in getting good people to work for us,” he said, “but it’s not always easy. ... We appreciate having you guys.” 

Vranish also thanked the men’s families for their future sacrifices before Mayor Kent Williams led the new officers in their oaths.

The dream to join the police force has been a long time in coming for some, and a recent dream for others — but each new officer said he is motivated by a desire to help others.

Cheney described being a new officer as “unreal” and “surreal,” saying he has dreamed of being a police officer since he was small, perhaps since he was as old as his 2 1/2-year old daughter. 

“Since probably as old as I needed to be to know what a cop was,” he said. 

Cheney took several years to realize that dream, though, and took some tangential paths to make it to this moment. Along the way, he got some experience in the military and has a young family as well. 

“Now I finally got a chance to go for it,” he said. 

Wesley Robertson is no stranger to serving the community, having been a volunteer firefighter in Evanston for 12 years. However, after losing his job in the oil field and getting a divorce, he was prompted to seek a new direction that was less about the money and more about helping the community. 

“I just want to be able to have a job that actually has purpose,” Robertson said. 

Cody Saloga has dreamed of being a police officer since high school

When asked what motivated him to pursue a job as a police officer, he said, “Maybe the fact that I get to help someone in their time of need.” 

Saloga also joined the military years ago. He said he joined the infantry and served a one-year tour in Afghanistan before coming back to do some odd jobs. Now, though, he has reached that goal formed in high school and is looking forward to doing everything that that entails, with strong support behind him. 

“The department itself has been great, and my family has been, like, extremely supportive,” Saloga said. 

Jacob Singleterry has also wanted to be a police officer since high school, and he is excited to help preserve public safety. 

“I always tell people I want to do it because I want to protect people that can’t stand up for the[m]selves,” he said.

Singleterry has come to Evanston with his young family from California and said he likes the pace and climate of Wyoming life. Moving forward, he is excited to embrace the work while learning about everything involved.