Veteran and former Capitol Policeman talks Wyoming history and politics

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Foy Jolley Jr. is a retired Airforce veteran. He toured Thailand and Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and was stationed at the Yokota Airbase in Japan from 1969 to 1972.

Finally, moving to Wyoming in 1972, where he was stationed at the 90 Missile Wing S.A.C.

He retired from the military in 1977 and joined the Wyoming State Capitol Security Police.

His experience at the Capitol is a living witness to the history and politics that have moved through our state building and onto the national stage.

”A lot of people in their states don’t have access to their elected officials, but here in Wyoming, you do because we’re a small state, the smallest in the nation, and it’s been a privilege of mine to be able to know people from the lowest level of government to the highest,” said Foy Jolley Jr.

In Jolley’s career, he’s crossed the paths of many political figures.

Like the youngest elected House Representative at 24 years old, with her small child **, now Sen. Cynthia Lummis.

Sen. John Barrasso was later appointed to replace deceased Senator Craig L. Thomas in Washington.

To former U.S. Senator Mike Enzi.

‘When he was running on his first term out at uh holiday park, I went out there, and they had a gazebo, and I happened to get that set up for his famous ice cream float with root beer, and they had that at the reception at his service when he passed away.”

The Cheneys...

“Cheney was the one that was sitting in that seat when I was a Capitol Police Officer. I got to know him well and his daughter Liz, " said Foy.

“I’m a Liz Cheney Fan,” said Cheryl.

To the Hagemans...

“Her father served in the legislature, and to my knowledge, he served all his time in the education committee. He’s deceased now, and so I know he’s smiling, because his daughter is now sitting in Washington D.C. as our us house member,” said Jolley.

Even a brush with then Vice President George Bush Sr...

“A lot of famous people visited during the time. When Vice President Bush was serving, I was a part of the security team for him and took one of the sharpshooters up on the top of the Capitol to take a position on the northwest corner,” said Jolley.

In his years at the Capitol, Jolley says Wyoming has gotten one thing very right.

“I have seen a lot of people come and go, but one of the greatest things that happen with us as a state is we have a citizen legislature,” said Jolley.

After working for the Capitol police for over 20 years and in the Senate staff for nine, Jolley says he loves how politics bring people together to serve.

**Correction Sen. Cynthia Lummis has one child.

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