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Officer Laufenberg, 1990 Officer of the Year

Officer Laufenberg was selected as 1990 Officer of The Year because of his commitment to the police department and the community of Bellevue. Officer Laufenberg approaches his job with the highest level of enthusiasm, ability, and professionalism.

Officer Laufenberg ensures that the work he is assigned and the work he generates is completed flawlessly. He is one of the top producers of contacts each month on his patrol team. While Laufenberg currently serves in the uniform patrol bureau, he maintains an active interest in all aspects of the department’s mission and supports personnel from other bureaus.

Officer Laufenberg is a member of the department’s SWAT team. He was recognized this year as being the most improved shooter with all weapons. At the annual state Emergency Service Team training, Mike was recognized by the state for his offensive weapons capabilities. He has served on the Bellevue Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter since 1977. Mike is also one of the founding members of the Bellevue Underwater Rescue Team.

The following are some of Officer Laufenberg’s work accomplishments this year.

In January, Officer Laufenberg assisted the civil service commission in administering the police officer entrance examinations. This included time spent outside in the snow and cold supervising the physical agility testing.

In April, Officer Laufenberg, as part of the SWAT team, served a no-knock search and arrest warrant on a dangerous drug target. The suspect was expected to be under the influence of LSD and had access to weapons. Mike and the other SWAT members successfully executed the search warrant and apprehended the suspect without injury to anyone.

In July, Officer Laufenberg was on patrol when he noticed three people running towards a parked car. He felt that their actions suggested that they were involved in criminal activity, and he turned in their direction. Upon seeing Officer Laufenberg approaching, two ran towards the rear of a closed business, while the others fled in the car. Laufenberg got a description of the car including a partial plate, and broadcast the description to other officers. He then pursued and detained the two individuals behind the business. Other officers apprehended those that left in the car. All five had just been involved in an armed robbery.

In October, Officer Laufenberg took a vacation day without being asked and volunteered to help another officer with the department’s public safety display in Grand Island. This was not Mike’s area of responsibility, but he takes great pride in department programs and wanted to help make this one the best that it could be.

In December, Officer Laufenberg responded to Hayworth Park to locate a young adult male who had threatened suicide. After a search, Laufenberg found the young man at the river’s edge, contemplating a jump into the icy waters. A civilian approached which distracted the young man, and Laufenberg grabbed the jumper pulling him away from the waters. Laufenberg was then able to restrain the man and take him to a mental health facility for treatment.