KEARNEY —The Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet honoring the Kearney Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol was hosted at the Younes Conference Center North on Thursday, Aug 1.
The event was hosted by the Friends of Law Enforcement, that was founded to honor area law enforcement officials and the work that they do day in and day out.
In previous years, the appreciation night had taken on the form of an outdoor picnic, with various demonstrations by law enforcement. Last year was the first time it had been hosted as a banquet at the Younes Conference Center North.
The proceeds go to a scholarship fund that the Friends of Law Enforcement presents to area students who are interested in entering the law enforcement profession. Scholarship applications are available at the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce.
“The Law Enforcement Scholarship is for young individuals desiring to study criminal justice or a related field. We need to consider the next generation of law enforcement and continue the recognized culture and relationships we have with them. Our involvement can be a testimony for the entirety of the country, proving that supporting law enforcement is key to having a safe environment,” the Friends of Law Enforcement stated.
One of the speakers at the event at Lt. Governor Joe Kelly, who was sworn into the position on Jan. 5, 2023. Kelly is a native of Lexington and prior to his posting as Lt. Governor, was appointed as the United States Attorney for Nebraska where he served until February 2021.
The guest speaker was “Cowboy Poet” Ronald Paul Smith, a Broken Bow native, who is a dedicated rancher, poet and advocate for the western lifestyle.
Smith has performed across the United States and Canada, promoting the western legacy through his poetry, which reflects the values of faith, family and integrity.
The special guest was Allen Beermann, a past Secretary of State who served six terms from 1971 to 1991.
Buffalo County Sheriff
When asked about how important it was for an area group to put on an event like the banquet, Sheriff Neil Miller said it’s a big deal for the sheriff’s office members.
Miller said there have been challenges the last several years for law enforcement, including lower hiring numbers and harder time recruiting new people.
“We are very appreciative of this community and this county, that support us the way they do,” Miller said.
There was considerable rancor that followed the George Floyd protests starting in May 2020, with calls from some corners to “defund the police.” Activists who use the phrase have done so with varying intentions; some seek modest reductions, while others argue for full divestment.
The phrase met with considerable pushback, but it was noted that those calls were not heard loudly on the local level.
When asked about the support he feels from the residents of Central Nebraska, Miller said he has been here for 45 years and said he is keenly aware of how much the area supports law enforcement and their mission.
He said it is important for those young people interested in criminal justice to be aware of the support in the area. “We don’t take that for granted, we thank everyone for their support.”
When asked what else the sheriff’s office gains from the event, Miller said on a personal level, it was a chance for deputies, corrections officers and employees to enjoy a laid-back evening that they can enjoy with their family, friends and an co-workers.
Miller concluded by saying that law enforcement in Buffalo County and Kearney operate well together, they communicate well together well; to the point that they are housed in the same building together.
Kearney Police Department
Chief Bryan Waugh said that the banquet being put on by the Friends of Law Enforcement is an “incredibly unique experience.”
Waugh said it says how special the Kearney community is and how supportive the residents are of professional policing and the men and women who make it their career choice to protect and serve the city.
Looking at the event as police chief, Waugh said he looks on the event with a sense of pride and is thankful of the special relationship they have with the community.
“We are a full-in community policing organization, that is the culture we embrace,” Waugh said, “We know we cannot do what we do without the partnership that we enjoy with this city and members of the community.”
Waugh came to the position after 21 years with the La Vista Police Department.
He graduated from the 10-week FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va., in 2016. Waugh is a native West Virginia,
He served four years of active duty at Offutt Air Force at Bellevue from 1993 to 1997 and was in the Air Force Reserves from 1997 to 2001.
In 2019, Waugh replaced former chief Dan Lynch who retired after 43 years with KPD.
Something that Waugh tells each of his police officers is the relationship shared between the department and the city is fragile.
Being cognizant of that, Waugh said seeks to ensure that his officers operate professionally and engage with the community and do things the right way. Waugh said one mistake can erode the trust in the relationship.
In conclusion, Waugh said he wanted to express who much the department appreciates those who were involved in the banquet, be it the planners, the donors, the venue and the guest speakers who gave their time to be at the event.
“It’s a wonderful night, I can’t thank everyone enough,” Waugh said.
