Kearney Police Department Officer Johnny Eynetich, left, listens as Chief Bryan Waugh, right, details the Law Enforcement Purple Heart, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A Law Enforcement Purple Heart was presented to Kearney Police Department Officer Johnny Eynetich and a certificate of commendation was presented to Officer Luis Arevalo during the Kearney city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11.
KPD Chief Bryan Waugh detailed the incident during the city council meeting.
“On Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, at approximately 8 p.m., Officer J. Eynetich, a 17-year KPD veteran and Officer L. Arevalo, a three-year KPD veteran, were on duty assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau. Both officers were working a mental health investigation at CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department,” Waugh said.
This call involved a combative, adult subject who had been transported to the Emergency Department by ambulance following a check welfare call for service.
“At one point the subject stood up, approached Officer Eynetich, reaching for his holstered duty pistol while handcuffed. Body Camera footage clearly shows the subject reaching for Officer Eynetich’s pistol and Officer Eynetich ordering them to not reach for the gun, acting on his training to prevent the subject from removing the pistol, the subject was able to reach inside the holster firing a single gunshot into Officer Eynetich’s leg from his holstered duty pistol,” Waugh noted
“After being shot, Officer Eynetich falls to the ground while also controlling the subject’s arm and
Officer Arevalo immediately assists with securing the subject, assisting Officer Eynetich, and communicating with dispatch for additional support,” said Waugh.
“Officer Eynetich was shot in the right leg during this dynamic incident. Following the gun shot a radio call of “shots Fired” was put out resulting in an overwhelming response by KPD and BCSO to the ER. Thankfully, Officer Eynetich did not receive a life-threatening injury, was treated and later released from ICU to recover at home. We are incredibly thankful he recovered and returned to full duty a few short months later,” said Waugh.
“As a Chief of Police, getting the call of an officer injured in the line of duty is the call we never want to get. In this case, getting the call of an officer shot in the line of duty is one I will never forget. I was incredibly relieved to learn the injury was not life threatening. I was also relieved to see Officer Eynetich and Officer Arevalo at the hospital, and they were ok. The teamwork, genuine care, compassion, leadership, and dedication that followed was inspiring. I am so proud of these officers, the entire police department, sheriff’s office, City Administration, EMS, Emergency Room Staff, CHI Administration, Police Chaplain Corp, Peer Support Team, Co-Responder Unit, Spouses Association, Community, and most importantly the families of all those impacted. Everyone came together following this traumatic incident and worked together on processing what happened, healing, and getting back to work,” said Waugh.
For these reason, the immediate supervisor, Sergeant Greg Benson, nominated Officer Eynetich to receive the Purple Heart and Officer Arevalo to receive the Certificate of Commendation.
