" Any Idea why he was no longer on the police force? "

" How can Dallas Laird be his attorney after Gary Hazen was investigator on how many defendants Dallas Laird represented. has any one ever heard of Conflict of interest? This needs to to be looked into. How many more Police Officers in Casper need to be corrupt for you fools to look inside the police force and not outside. "

" He retired about 10 years ago after twenty years of distinguished service. I always knew him to be an honorable and decent person so if these allegations turn out to be true I'll be shocked "

" It is hard for me to belive Gary Hazen has done these things I remember when he was my DARE Officer about 12 yrs ago "

" He retired from the police force and went on to work at KW as the security person and then to the Coroner's office. If I remember correctly. "

" He retired from the police department. Shame on him for doing this to someone like Dr. Thorpen! "

" sexual harassment "

" Hazen should have been nicer to people on his way up the political ladder. He's liable to see some of those same faces on his way back down. "

" I knew Gary when he was working at KW as Security. I always admired him. He was very respectful and easy to relate to. He was very approachable and treated everyone fairly. I also will be very surprised if these allegations are true. If the allegations about prescription medications are true, I hope he can receive the help he needs. I just have always respected him and appreciated all the things he did for the youth of the city. "

" I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. This was probably just the initial warrant. Who knows what they will find in all the paperwork and who the rightful owner is of the guns! It will be interesting to find out if Thorpen knew about all of this all along. "

" First off get your facts right! Gary Hazen is an honorable man. And people that have no work ethic and can't except the fact that they were fired becasue they were not good at their job. If anyone knows gary you should see how many people in this county he has helped! It is just sad that one evil person tries to get revenge and does not see what it does to him and his family. I hope those people or should i say one person can live with themselves. Congrats! Ps. Casper guy i would call false on sexual harrassment! Gary is a man with a great heart and everyone needs to remember what he has done for this community! "

" Call me wild and crazy, but would'nt it be better to let the investigation work it's way through the process before any convictions. Why do we rely on media to form all ideas for the weak minded. Let us instead, allow the rule of law determine guilt or innocence! Remember, media does one thing, all reporting is directed to generate more sales of advertising, nothing more. Wake up!! Allow a man with a stellar career defend himself against all allegations. "

" If the investigation shows that he has done what they are alleging he did then he should be charged. He is in a position of public trust therefore must live to higher standards.

However to say that his attorney is in conflict of interest because he defended people that Gary had arrested is way off base. Gary may respect the way that Dallas handled his cases and had trust in him. Dallas has the obligation to see that people get treated fair in the justice system.

Jeff M if you have proof there is corruption in the police department then you have an obligation to report it. If you are making comments because you don't care for the police department or an officer within then some comments are best kept to yourself. "

" Wow Jeff!!! I love reading this blogs never comment on them till today. Gary Hazen has not been a Casper Police Officer for 10+ years and yet you decide to label the Casper Police Dept. as Corrupt. Are you kidding me? Look to the person not the place he worked a decade ago. If he did do these things he needs to be responsible for his actions. "

" F Casper guy is the one who needs to get his/her facts right. DCI has been investigating this matter for 8 months, and they are the ones who gave the press release to the media. What DCI reported so far is absolutely true, and I am sure that even more will come out by the time they are finished investigating. Gary has fooled a lot of people for a long time, and now he is having to pay the price for his illegal actions. I do feel sorry for his family, but the blame doesn't lie with anybody but Gary. "

" Wasn't he supposed to have been fired earlier this year? What happened to that? Looks like the County Council dropped the ball on that one! It would be nice to hear more facts on this case and what started this investigation. If he is found guilty, they should throw the book at him for betraying the public trust. Talk about a victimless crime! "

" It was just a matter of time. It finally happened. On the surface, this guy might be all the nice things he appears to be. Thanks to DCI for all the professional work they do to get the bad guys "

" Ok curious no he was not suppose to be fired earlier this year nice try. If you guys honestly beleive that the media does not make things worse then what they are you are an idiot. And for the guns i can guarntee they are all his! Don't forget when you bash Gary your bashing his family as well. "

" No curious...but interesting point..Has everyone forgot about when he was investigated for t-boning an ambulance carrying a patient emergent to the hospital while on duty in a coroner vehicle?? That patient is now paralyzed I do believe. Where were the repercussions for that incident? I think he's a schmoozer and been getting away with this for years...I do feel bad for his family, victims, and Dr. Thorpen. What a horrible situation. As for the person or persons behind all this, I'm sure it must be somewhat substantiated if DCI executed search warrants in the first place. Let them do their job. "

" In my experience, the Police do not dedicate 8 months to an investigation and then execute this many search warrants unless there is something substantial there. This on has all the hallmarks of a criminal trial in the wings. We'll see! "

" he was a very nice guy! we always had a blast with him! "

" While I will never be the first to say that any one of our governmental bodiess and people are perfect-just like the rest of us REGULAR CITIZENS, I can tell alot about the credentials, compassion and the professionalism of Gary Hazen. Since Gary has been one of the most instrumental components in solving a variety of previously cold case homicides and has not succombed or given in to our Current Sheriff's or especicially some commissionsers wishes for him to simply leave certain casesconcluded manner of death findings or the the need expressen for more INDEPENDENT autopsty resulults for CERTAIN PUBLIC FIGURES AND MATTERS, or for the least of us, including several murder cases which have been that the sheriff's department have litterally tried to contain as accidental deaths -it is no surprise to me at all that they would dredge up a more than nine year old allegation made by a very bitter ex-wife and Commisioner Matt Keating and Rob Hendry since the resolution and work on the 26-28 year old conviction of Rita Ann Humprey in the deathin the shooting of Jack Humphrey. Gary Hazen is probably on of the leading forensic Cheif Deputy Corners in the region and the agenda of Make Benton and the commissioners has been to Oust Dr. Thorpen and Gary Hazen since the election in 2005. What most citizens do not understand is that through the Sheriffs Office the have been trying to abolish the Coroners FOREMOST or LEAADING COUNTY CONTROL by replacing this office with NC SHeriff's Deputies as Coroner's which is a direct conflict of intrest and is done by no other county in the UNITED STATEES OF AMERICA!
Gary Hazen as portraited in an upcoming book due out by December of 2008, documents the THAT NATRONA COUNTY no matter how Tim Hill and DCI want to paint it, has been the catylyst for removing Gary Hazen in order to rid themselves of the Respect of Dr. Thorpen and his office in order to control more tightly the rulings of the office of Coroner. I plan to move to any other county or state-if the commissioners and Makk Benton don't get a grip on the reality of returning to the dark ages and even more corruption!
GARY HAZEN is a good man, with expceptional credentials whom this county should feel happy to have on hand. Anyone wonder why Barb Peyum keeps reminding that Natrona County had nothing to do with this crap? Shame on the commissions and most especially on Sheriff Mark Benton-who can't even oversee a taj mahl jail,but seeks more desperately to keep a strangle hold on Mills, Evansvillle and the local coroners office just as his mentor Bill Estes, and friend Ron Ketchum-Rob Hendry. Read the December relase of Justice For Jack, Pretty Little Predator" before you blieve one word about Gary Hazen'salledged sins-he is and has been a barrier to injustice ever since he became more educated and more qualified than any other Cheif Deputy Coroner Natrona County has ever had since the 1970's. "

" I knew they would go after Gary Hazen again after the resolution of the Jack Humphrey2996 conviction of Rita Humphrey-and the Lynn Bush case and the issue with Hospice. I have known Gary Hazen and Dr. Thorpen since moving to Casper in 1881-Gary Hazen is probably one of the biggest threats that the Natrona County Sheriff's Office has ever encountered in their consistent quest to CONTROL THE CORONER'S OFFICE AND THE CAUSE OF DEATH FINDINGS over the past 40 YEARS. Gary Hazen is not a perfect person-but he is not who the person DCI is currently protraying. They (Mark Benton, Rob Hendry and Matt Keating especially have a great need to be rid of Gary Hazen because he does not play favorites or write up bogus reports to the liking of certain officials-he does his job and has assisted Dr, Thorpen in continuing to do his professional work as our County Coroner. Do your homework-Gary Hazen is not the enemy
He has become one of the most credentialed and knowledgable Cheif Deputy Coroners in our 5 state region.
Barb Peryum is a mouth piece for Sheriff Mark Benton's s entitiled Commissioner Rob Hendry and Matt Keating to MAKE THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ALSO THE COUNTY CORONERS! A GROSS CONFLICT OF INTREST that is not practiced by ANY OTHER COUNTY IN OUR STATE OR REGION! "

" Gary Hazen is one of the most highly credentialed, respected and professional Coroner's I have ever dealt with-out ranks even some State Elected Coroners with his education and experience. Natrona County Sheriff and Some commossioners are determined to send us bak to an age where the Sheriff controls EVERYTHIN, A RISH we cannot take1 "

" good luck Gary and I mean it! you were always a gentleman. "

" Casper guy what did you mean by your comment of sexual harassment? THat kindof came out of nowhere.. "

" Obviously, there are some people who are very close to Gary commenting on this article. I am deeply saddened for you and all his family in that this is a very difficult and trying situation; however, please keep the facts straight. F casper guy, I understand your frustrations, but this investigation started months before any "certain person" was fired from the Coroner's office. Fishey... yes, I do believe that raises some questions. I'm sure this is not a matter of revenge but one of justice. If Gary has nothing to hide, his name will be cleared. Honorable... guess that is for each individual to decide for his/herself. The rest is left in the hands of DCI. "

" if the accusations of Gary being addicted to pain pills is true then that doesn't mean he is a fake, fraud, of a phony he is sick. Addiction is not something that only horrible criminals and people do out of choice it can affect anyone anywhere its not something that we wake up decide Im going to be an addict today. My heart goes out to him and his family. I hope they know that there is help out there for them as well as gary. "

" Gary Hazen is human and I have never known him to be ANYTHING but professional in my dealings with him.
Donna and Jera have, I believe, hit the nail right on the head!! Mr. Hazen has done a lot for this community, and if he really does have a problem, I hope this community can do something for him. We are all human. If one were to look at other public officals I am sure that there are others out there that have skeletons in their closets! Gary, hold your head high, you are a great person "

" I don't know Mr. Hazen personally or anything but if he is indeed addicted to pain meds, everyone has to remember that pain meds addictions start out of a nessacity for the pain med and then if the treating doctor isn't watching for the right signs, a person can end up finding themselves addicted. An addiction to a prescribed med is very easy for someone to justify, because afterall, if they are prescribed to you, they are legal. I know it doesn't make it right, but it happens more then most probably know. And once you are addicted, it is very hard to quit and really easy to get caught up in the addiction.

And I hope that justice will be served here, which ever side is right, I hope that right thing is done. "

" Thanks for those of you who can understand addiction and know that it can happen to anyone. For KARMA no the one in the ambulance was never paralyzed! It was a car accident i can gurantee that he has not been the only one to get in a car accident. "

" Thank you Christina just because Gary is a pillar in the comunity does not mean that he doesn't have problems Instead of focusing on what he is to this community and how he is sapposed to be perfect, instead see it for what it is another poerson who got caught up and if foung guilty of anything will have to pay his dues its not our place to judge and be hatefull there is not one of us who is perfect "

" For those of you who keep saying how the County Commissioners are involved in the DCI investigation, you are wrong. I know for a fact that the County Commission had absolutely nothing to do with the current investigation. It started from Gary's illegal activities and not from any vendetta by any person or group. I agree that anyone with a prescription drug problem needs help, but nobody, not even an addict, should be excused from whatever illegal activity they get involved in to provide for that addiction. They still have to obey the laws like everyone else. Also, some of the things that Gary is being investigated for have nothing to do with his drug use. DCI's investigation results will probably be an eye-opener for a lot of people. "

" You cant get any lower that stealing from the dead!!!!! If this turns out to be true which it looks like it is, shame on you. This is the ultimate betrayal and I'm sure you will get the treatment you neen in prison. For all you people that think everyone is out to get him I wonder why the feds aren't involved in this???
YET "

" In order to take a position such as Gary's you must go through a back ground check and adhere to a strict code of conduct. I have known Gary on a professional level for the last four years. Never in my right mind would I imagine he could do something like this. Gary is a mentor to all who meet him. Its just a shame we do not have more eleced officials like him and Dr. Thorpen!! They are willing to stand up for themselves not to mention stand up for the dead. Good luck to you Gary!!!! "

" Boy oh boy has Mr. Hazen fooled a lot of you. I don't know him personally but I know many that do. I think you all would be appalled with his conduct. The truth will come out. It has been over a decade coming! He has caused serious pain and suffering to some beyond your imagination! He will have his day in court! "

" Yes you must go through a background check and abide by a code of conduct, but if you don't get caught right away that is not an issue. Gary is not an elected official and I agree that we should have more like Dr. Thorpen, but definitely not someone who is constantly trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public and his own boss. I'm sure Gary is already getting the help he needs for his addiction but he needs to pay the consequences for his illegal actions. It is not by legal means that he was feeding his addiction for narcotics, and by stealing from the deceased? That is a new kind of low. He also stepped on A LOT of people trying to climb his way to the top, including Dr. Thorpen. You may have seen on the news tonight that he also tested positive for narcotics while on duty as a school security officer. What an amazing role model. I am so glad that he was allowed to stay there to keep us and our children safe... For those of you that he so personally effected, I hope you get the justice that you so deeply deserve. For Gary, it's not too late to clean up your life and make a mends for all that has been done. "

" People have to get over the Thorpen elevation; he has been out of touch for a long time, and not in the loop. He has allowed Gary Hazen to run the circus.

For the taxpayers who were for the county morgue, you could be shocked at how many autopsies have been performed. Most, if not all, go quietly out of state. "

" What is the shocking reason that most are performed out of state. Is it because the out of state autopsies are more likely to have results that law enforcement wants? Or is there some other reason?; if so please tell us what it is. When did out-state autopsies begin? Are they all of the same nature, i.e. for similar types of death? Are the out of state more competent or less competent than Natrona County's people? What is really needed is an independent state Medical examining office. "

" just to think of how many people this man arrested, or had arrested for drugs and theft, not only that but this man set in front of thousands of kids over the years to tell them about how bad drugs are and that marijuana is the gate way drug. i am shocked at the fact that through all the seizures DCI found so many things but no pot! i hope that some how the media will find a way to twist and contort the truth so that we may continue the war and criminalization of violent hippys and potheads so that upstanding citizens and officers of the law like this man may remain free. "

" the secret service got lit. the president got hit , cause everybody is wasted ,everybody's stoned, Everybody is drinking on the job
drinking on the job-by the rainmakers "

" Maybe the complete Natrona County coroners' story will evolve from this investigation. I not suggesting that there is wrong-doing by out-of-state autopsies, but this constant elevation of the coroner and the system in Natrona County just isn't totally true. People who don't know about forensics, autopsies, and coroner/ME systems, have been snookered. "

" Here are the questions to be asked:

- where has Thorpen been during this time? At the scene? If so, why was Hazen telling investigators to go and collect drugs? If you answered that Thorpen was away doing the autopsy, I would say that probably isn't true, which leads to the second question?

- how many autopsies has Thorpen been doing in the past days, months, and years? And, when I say "autopsy", that doesn't mean the simple and non-disclosing exam of the body externally, but a complete autopsy, which includes an internal examination. If the new facility has been used, did Thorpen do the autopsies, or was Gary doing them? If it was Gary, that is a mistake of huge proportions!

- Where has Thorpen been during this time? Not seemingly involved, even though he is ELECTED and PAID. "

" Boy, talk about putting the cart before the horse.

First, he has yet to be charged with anything, much less tried, and certainly not convicted.

Don't forget the fundamental principle of presumed innocence.

As far as prescription drug use is concerned, if he does have a problem, I hope he is able to get the help that he needs. He certainly wouldn't be the first public figure to have a problem with drug dependence. "

" Gary Hazen use to harass me at school daily. This man is better off in prison.

Good riddance to bad rubbish...and I love to see dirty cops go down. "

" Gary Hazen does have a problem and he is willing to admit it. Although there are a few people out there that think they know everything. I bet if the media came into your personal lives there would be a lot revieled. Just because he is a well known person in the community people think they need to put everything they have heard or seen on the news, radio, and the paper into pulblic knowledge. No one is perfect and If you think you can judge a person you too have falts of your own! EVERYONE DOES. No one wakes up in the morning and says I want to be addicted to pain meds. Dont always believe what you read. "

" Kudos to Curious for asking a pertinent question. How did GH survive the County Commisioners cutting his position via the budget for the ME? Let's see how good CST is with investigative reporting. I think there is a sordid tale about to come out. "

" Well thank you to all who claim he is a decent person and who "know" him. He was really nice if you had money or were a close family friend or had possession of a higher command but I think mainly the money part! You see I was in those halls of Kelly Walsh and stood in the corner with my friends and listened to his comments on how he really felt about us students and I have to say I was relieved and no longer scared when he left that job for reasons that you would agree with and I just simply don't have the time to write a book on this blog for. There is no doubt in my mind that he did do this crime however the extent in which it occurred is where my doubt comes. One or two times still should get fired but not as bad as stealing drugs from every dead body ya know? I wish his family the best not him but his family. It is difficult to move on from something like this when a family member ruins your good name. "

" One word says it all regarding the charismatic Gary Hazen...Hoodwinked! "

" You know, if this was some impoverished tweaker that was robbing the dead, everyone would be lining up for their tickets at the gallows. "

" Why hasn't Gary been arrested? If
it were anyone else, they would be
sitting in jail. "

" Not Snow Balled...perhaps you should acquaint yourselves with the operations of the coroner's office. Dr. Thorpen is a coroner, he performs autopsies. That is what he is elected and paid to do. He oversees an office full of investigators. Gary Hazen is an investigator. He investigates scenes. Yes, he is considered a coroner...Deputy Coroner. But he is an investigator, and a darn good one at that. It is within his right and power to order drugs, etc. confiscated from scenes. They are evidence. And, as far as drug use/addiction...I challenge any one of you to hold the positions that Gary has held over the years and see the things that he has seen since he has been with the coroner's office and not be tempted to turn to some vice in order to deal with some of the ugly deaths, crime scenes and people that he deals with on a daily basis.

Gary, I believe that you are an upstanding man and have done a great service to the community for a long time. I hope that you are able to get the help you need to find yourself a new place in the community. I wish the best to your family in this trying time. "

" Please Nameless why do you make excuses for Gary. There are plenty of other people in this town/state/world that don't turn to drugs because of what they have seen. And I do know others that have held Gary's position that haven't done these things that he has been accused of. He is innocent until proven guilty. But.... DCI doesn't usually announce something like this without having pretty good eveidence. I guess time will tell. "

" While I agree that Mr. Hazen's job is a hard one, and I'm sure he's seen some pretty rough things, that is absolutely NO excuse to turn to stealing drugs, pornography, and firearms from the deceased. Addiction is something that certainly can take over an "upstanding man" but an alleged "upstanding man" wouldn't steal pornography and firearms. "

" Dear Nameless,

That isn't true. A coroner doesn't perform autopsies, a pathologist does. In this case, Thorpen is a pathologist, but he doesn't have to perform autopsies. If the coroner were a funeral director, which in many counties thats the case, they investigate the scene, and hire a pathologist to perform the autopsy. And, somewhere, someone has stated that many autopsies are going out of state, which means Dr. Thorpen possibly been doing that part of the job either. "

" I know several Police Investigators and Medical Examiner / Coroner Investigators all over the United States. They have all seen terrible things in their careers and none of them would ever think of STEALING from the dead (either medications or property). If the traumatic life of a Coroner's Investigator was too much for Mr. Hazen to endure then he should have resigned years ago. I don't knnow why Nameless would make excuses for this sort of conduct and if proven to be true, Mr. Hazen is not a public servant but a thief, liar, and drug addict who does not belong on the public payroll. Better men than him have done that job for a lot less money than he was making and done it admirably! "

" I have worked with Gary for more years than I want to remember. He was always a what is in it for me kind of guy. He has been doing this for years and it has finley caught up with him. Dr Thorpen is one of the best man I have ever worked for and he must be as ashamed of Gary as we all are. If you don't believe me contact any law enforcement officer current or retired from Casper PD or SO that you may know and ask him about Gary Hazen. If they are honest with you you will be amazed at their opinion of Hazen. DCI interviewed 20 current and retired officers and they all said the same thing about Gary. Folks listen to the men that worked with him all the years, they were honest with DCI and all of them did not have an ax to grind against Gary. We will see how this plays out in court but I don't think the mighty Dallas can pull this one off. As always innocent until proven guilty (unless you have observed his actions for 20 years). "

" Finely caught what you are saying is a real stretch. All of the 20 officers were honest with DCI, all said the same thing about Gary, and all had no ax to grind against Gary. These statements lack credability and make me wonder how in the world you are privy to such information. Are you being honest with us? I don't think so. "

" It's about time Gary was caught, he has had it coming for many many years! He always used his position, intimidation, and the friends he has in high places to get away with everything. Like finely caught said, I also know many current and former PD and SO employees that have always said what a puke and waste of air Hazen is. He is the worst kind of criminal there is using his position as deputy corner, a position that people and that families of the decedents should be able to trust, and turn around and steal meds, guns,money,porn,and sex toys. What a sick sick man. And the way he used and abused Dr Thorpen's trust in him. Shame on you Gary. "

" tfc I see this is your only posting on the subject, maybe you are colser to the investigation than you let on. I have said enough, sit back and watch and remember these statements. "

" Ever since I've started there has been grumbling about hazen nothing I could point directly too but i don't doubt the charges "

" As some of you may feel justice should come to those whom deserve it. I do believe in inocent until proven guilty but I also know Gary and he isn't what he has appeared in some of your eyes.
As for the statement of Donna Messerli about a bitter ex wife you don't know if she is bitter or not and I can tell you that she is a very nice person from a very respectable family and she knows that bitterness toward other people isn't the way to be. I have known her my entire life, 47 years and she doesn't hold vendettas against people.
Gary has done several bad things to several people in the community and he may have done some good for others, if they benefit him. If and I say If he is convicted of these crimes then he should serve the same sentence that any other person would serve and in the same place. Say hi to bubba GARY "

" I have also met his ex-wife on several occasions. She is a good and decent person. Gary did this to himself so let's not drag her (or his current wife) into the mud.
If this is some sort of vast right wing conspiratorial plot against Gary then let DCI find it out and expose it. I don't think they'll find anything except a greedy little man who thought he would never get caught. "