Captain Kevin Thompson

⚠️ TRAFFIC UPDATE ⚠️ Please expect extended road closures on 39th St. east of Avenue R to Avenue X, for both eastbound and westbound traffic. Additionally, extended road closures are also in place on Avenue X for northbound and southbound traffic south of 39th St. These closures are necessary while crews work to stabilize downed power lines. Please avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes. Thank you for your patience and cooperation

⚠️ Please stay away from the area near 39th St east of the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. City Street Crews & NPPD personnel are working approximately 16 large high-voltage power lines that are down. Extremely dangerous situation — avoid the area until further notice. @CityofKearney @KearneyPolice

Please join us in congratulating Officer Josh Goodbrake and Officer Ethan Mroczek on their graduation today from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center’s 222nd Basic Training Session! After 16 weeks and 626 hours of intensive training, both officers reached this important milestone surrounded by family, friends, and classmates. Special thanks to our training staff, mentors, and the dedicated team at NLETC for their guidance and support. Welcome to the team! #JoinKPD

🚔 Big day for our Uniform Patrol Bureau as officers completed the annual shift bid for the 2026–2027 year. It’s an important process and a great chance to reconnect across shifts. #Teamwork 🍕 Thank you to Domino’s Pizza of Kearney for providing a meal for our officers! #CommunitySupport

@CityofKearney @KearneyPolice had a great week at the Yanney Park Light Festival, Downtown Christmas Walk & Santa Escort…. #ThankYou Kearney, for coming out despite the cold. From your local first responders, city workers & friends of law enforcement…Happy Holiday Season!

Tonight, @KPD339 Chief Kowalek honored Officer David Humphrey for 35 years of dedicated service to the @KearneyPolice Department. Join the men & women of KPD in congratulating him on this incredible milestone! #KPD #Community #Service @CityofKearney

Huge thanks to Investigator Matt Young for coordinating top-notch training for KPD, BCSO & area agencies. Amy Weber from the NSP Crime Lab provided specialized instruction on tire & shoe impressions, firearms, DNA, and proper evidence collection for strong lab submissions and court prep. Keeping our communities safer! @NEStatePatrol @CityofKearney @KearneyPolice #ProfessionalGrowth #Training

Leadership Kearney Class #34 stopped by the @CityofKearney & @BuffaloCountySO Law Enforcement Center for Local Government Day! They toured our facilities, met Chief Kowalek & Sheriff Miller, saw the Bearcat, and enjoyed Patrol K9 demos and much more! Thanks, Class #34, for visiting your local law enforcement! #LeadershipKearney #CommunityPartners

Speed limit alert! @CityofKearney 30th Ave is now 35 mph (down from 45) near the school & hospital zone. Slow down, watch for signs, and stay safe (and ticket-free from @KearneyPolice)! #TrafficReminder #DriveSmart

“‘Donuts with Grown-Ups’ at Park Elementary — caffeine, sugar, and cops guarding the glaze. Thanks, kids, for keeping us adults in line!” @CityofKearney @KearneyPolice #donuts

Welcome to the force, Officer Kuba! Chief Kowalek swore in KPD’s newest member tonight — K9 Officer Kuba, who’ll be serving alongside his handler, Officer Zach Schwarz. We’re excited to have this duo on duty to help keep Kearney safe! 💙🖤 @CityofKearney @KearneyPolice #K9

Please join @KearneyPolice and @CityofKearney in congratulating Officer Austin Hibberd, named the 2025 Officer of the Year by the Police Officers’ Association of Nebraska! Honored by peers statewide for his service, leadership & dedication to Kearney. #Professional #Service #Community

Nothing the Kearney PD loves more than #HighFiveFriday! Huge thanks to the awesome students & staff at Northeast Elementary your smiles & energy made our day! Go Bobcats! #CommunityPolicing @KearneyPolice

@KearneyPolice we want to say Happy 8th Birthday to K9 Bane! 🐾 Since teaming up with Officer Alstrom in 2020, Bane has been a total homerun for Kearney PD — tracking fugitives, finding missing people, and locating contraband. Thank you for your service, buddy. Stay safe & enjoy those well-earned days off!

Today and always we remember former KPD Officer Jeff Hansen who was killed serving our country on August 27, 2006. This weekend we will honor his legacy by participating in the Hanson Hero Workout. Jeffery J. Hansen was born on July 12, 1975 in Minden, NE to Robert and Deborah Morris Hansen. In 1987 when he was in seventh grade, his family moved to Bertrand. He graduated in 1993 from Bertrand High School and then graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelors degree in athletic training in 1997. He also graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Center in 2001. Over the years, the urge to serve his country tugged at him. He joined the National Guard in January 2000 as a member of the cavalry regiment’s Troop A, based in Hastings. During his years of service, he was a natural leader who quickly rose through the ranks, serving as assistant squad leader, fire team leader, and squad leader. His current assignment was a fire support sergeant. On October 14, 2002, Jeff was deployed to Bosnia. After his return, he worked for the Kearney Police Department and then started work at the Grand Island VA Hospital as a Federal Police Officer. Jeff enjoyed the outdoors; he liked hunting, guns, fast cars, and staying in shape. Friends remember Jeff as the strong, silent type. He didn’t talk a lot, but when he did, people listened. They also remember that he was soft spoken but intelligent and was an awesome teacher and fantastic mentor. Jeff was also a loving husband. He met his wife, Jenny, at a football game at the University of NE at Kearney. They were married on October 12, 2002. Two days later Jeff left for Bosnia. When he returned 11 months later the two settled down in Cairo, NE. Jeff was deployed again on October 11, 2005 and went to Iraq in April of 2006 with the 1st squadron, 167th Cavalry. On August 21, 2006, SSG Jeffrey Hansen and three other soldiers were in a Humvee when it went off a berm near Camp Anaconda and was submerged in a canal. The accident occurred when a road caved in as the soldiers were patrolling a military base. Jeff was killed and the other three survived. Jeff was 31 years old.

“Read & Bleed” is the mission today for @KPD339 . The need for blood is constant, and the gratification is instant. Thank you Kearney Public Library for hosting and the American Red Cross for your tireless work and dedication to our community! #teamwork

Congrats to Officer Austin Hibberd, appointed as KPD ESU Team Leader after Sergeant Greg Benson‘s years of dedicated service. He joins current BCSO Team Leader, Deputy Clint Kirschner leading our joint ESU team. Proud of the partnership! #preparedness #team #service

Yesterday we had the privilege of recognizing two outstanding members of our team for their impactful service to the community and our department. We celebrated Sgt. JC Small on his 15-year work anniversary, honoring his steadfast dedication, leadership, and many contributions to both the Police Department and the community he has served with pride. We also expressed our deep gratitude to Megan Morris, our Co-Responder Therapist, for her 2.5 years of groundbreaking work. Megan brought a unique and invaluable therapeutic perspective that helped create meaningful, lasting solutions for individuals in need. Her compassionate approach and dedication have left a lasting impact on our organization and those we serve. As Megan and her family prepare to move on to new opportunities for professional growth and family development, we extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for continued success. Thank you, Sgt. Small and Mrs. Morris, for all you have done to make a difference in this community. You will always be appreciated.