Kearney Police Officer Injured By Single Gunshot

(Kearney, NE) - On Friday, February 2, 2024, at approximately 5:50 pm, KPD Officers were called to Richard Young Hospital at 1755 Prairie View Place, to assist with a 32 year-old-female possibly suffering from a mental health crisis. KPD officers located the female walking around 43rd Street and 17th Avenue a few minutes later. KPD Officers immediately requested an ambulance and the female was transported to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department by ambulance.

The preliminary investigation revealed while inside the CHI Good Samaritan Emergency Department with two KPD officers, the female became combative with Officers and hospital staff. While attempting to gain control of the female, she accessed one of the KPD Officer’s duty firearm and a single gunshot was fired into the officer’s right leg. The female subject involved was placed into custody. The female subject sustained minor injuries during the incident. The injured officer was immediately treated for non-life-threatening injuries by CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Staff and remains hospitalized.

In accordance with department policy, the Kearney Police Department has requested the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office to investigate this incident as part of the South-Central Area Law Enforcement Services agreement. KPD and BCSO are also being assisted by the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office. No Officers discharged their firearm during this incident and no other firearms were in the room. Investigators are working to determine how the suspect accessed the officer’s firearm while the firearm was holstered on the officer’s duty belt. The injured Officer is an eighteen-year veteran with KPD. The second Officer has been with KPD for two and a half years.

Both Officers were wearing body-worn cameras, video footage is being reviewed in addition to interviewing multiple witnesses who were in the room at the time the officer was shot. The suspect remains in custody, criminal charges are pending and will be referred to the Buffalo County Attorney’s Office following the investigation.

“This incident serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and dangers police officers make and face every day and night to keep our community safe. I am incredibly thankful our officers and the suspect weren’t more seriously injured. Please keep this officer and his family in your thoughts and prayers for a swift and full recovery. We can’t thank our partners at Good Samaritan Hospital enough for the immediate medical care provided to our officer while also being faced with a traumatic event themselves. We will work together to provide needed care, support, and services for everyone impacted by this incident. I am so proud of our entire department and allied law enforcement agencies, coming together for one of our own while also maintaining strong public safety needs for our community.” – Chief Bryan D. Waugh

Thank you to our entire community for the love and support you have shown our officers during this time and always. This remains an ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as available. 

Kearney PD did update the situation on Saturday saying "We are happy to share; our injured Police Officer has been released from the hospital and is home resting and recovering."