1997 Annual Report

1997 Annual Report
Year in Review
January
Sherry Hoelk was arrested for first-degree murder in connection with the death of her infant son in 1991. New information was developed which changed the original determination of SIDS as the cause of death. A homicide investigation was initiated and resulted in the arrest of the infant's mother.

February
Jennifer Hindera was arrested for manslaughter after the death of her boyfriend's child, a 17-month-old male. The incident was first reported as a medical emergency. After examination, injuries were discovered on the infant consistent with child abuse. Three days later he succumbed to head wounds and Hindera was arrested.

Chester Breitzman, age 28, was arrested after leading police on a chase which ended in a Southeast neighborhood during the early morning of February 28 . The Kwik Shop at 56 and South was the scene of a reported robbery by a suspect who threatened the clerk with a knife. Brietzman, who matched the description of the suspect, was observed driving a pickup three blocks from the scene. A pursuit ultimately resulted, and ended when Breitzman's vehicle left the roadway. Officers approached his vehicle, calling out verbal commands, which were unheeded. Breitzman was observed to reach under his seat, in the direction of a carving knife, prompting an officer to fire one round through the passenger side window. The suspect did sustain a non-life threatening injury to his abdomen.

March
The Lincoln Police Department recruit academy began using the YMCA for conditioning its newest employees. Recruits are required to pass six fitness standards prior to being hired and are then tested in several areas once they start the academy. The employees participate in 4 months of training and are re-tested at the end of the academy to gauge improvements. The program is designed to encourage officers to maintain a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness.

April
A late-season snowstorm created poor road conditions which contributed to a fatality accident at 84 and Lancashire Dr. A 15-year-old Pius X student, on his way to school, was the passenger in a vehicle. His car slid across the centerline and was hit broadside by an oncoming vehicle.

May
The law enforcement torch run for Special Olympics completed another successful year posting its highest earnings at $211,000.00.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded a COPS Problem Solving Partnership grant to the Lincoln Police Department for $45,677.00. The funds are being used by the department, and the City's Problem Resolution Team, to develop a geographical crime information system that identifies problem properties throughout the city.

June
A homicide investigation was initiated on June 14 at 801 S. 9 Street after two males were found shot to death. The victim ages 34 and 42 were both living at the location where the bodies were discovered. The case remains an active investigation.

July
Katherine Wyatt is attacked and stabbed to death by Hector Gonzales in the area of 20 and "D" Street. Officer Jeff Bucher apprehended the suspect within minutes of the assault, several blocks from the crime scene.

August
The universal hiring program, funded by COPS, awarded the Lincoln Police Department 1.25 million dollars. The money is being used to hire 15 additional officers and will provide funding for the next three years.

September
Timothy Hopkins, age 19, was arrested for the murder of Michael Schmader. Schmader's body was found 12-23-95 buried in a drainage tunnel at 48 and Normal Streets. Michael Schmader was 17 years old at the time of his death and had been reported as a runaway in October 1995.

The Lincoln Police Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office presented Community Policing "Projects to Go" at the Cornhusker Hotel. The conference featured three nationally recognized speakers and had sessions dealing with a multitude of subjects including Santa Cop, responsible hospitality, police services to schools, and bike patrol.

Captain James Peschong is promoted to Assistant Chief of the Support Division. He fills the vacancy left by James Baird who retired in June.

Officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in Southeast Lincoln and further discovered that John Dunagan, age 56, had been shot to death. Upon investigation, the victim's son, Matthew Dunagan, age 17, was arrested at the home for the homicide.

October
An unexpected storm, which dumped 13 inches of snow on Lincoln, prompts Mayor Mike Johanns to declare a State of Emergency. Extra officers were called in to duty and utilized for transporting individuals to shelters. Police recruit officers pitched in to staff a shelter which had been set up at Pershing Auditorium.

Arrest warrants were issued for twenty-five individuals on narcotics-related charges. The warrants were the result of a combined operation of the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol and the Lancaster County Attorney's Office. Several undercover operations were conducted over the past two years and charges include possession of LSD, delivery of marijuana, delivery of cocaine, and delivery of methamphetamine.

The organizational structure of the department is significantly modified. The Narcotics Unit, Criminal Investigations Team, and Community Services Unit are moved to the Support Division under the direction of Assistant Chief James Peschong.

November
The Lincoln Police Union Charities, Inc., in cooperation with the Lincoln Police Department, hosted a fund-raising auction for the Santa Cop program. This year over 200 Lincoln businesses donated merchandise or services for the event.

December
Officer Mike Dorn and Sergeant Jeri Roeder participated in a fund-raising event for the Nebraska Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. The event was called "Cops on Top" and each participant pledged to sit on top of the Shopko stores continuously for four days. The fund-raiser proved valuable as the event raised $20,000.00 for Special Olympics.

For the first time in several years, Lincoln Police introduced a new member of its canine unit. Officer John Clarke, and his recently purchased canine Urrack, began their assignment to the Northeast Team. Urrack is a German Shepard dog who was raised and trained in Belgium.