The 902 Podcast

"How would you like to come fly for the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office?" That was the question Sheriff Merle Karnopp posed to who would ultimately become LSO's first pilot - Sgt. Larry Russell. Now retired, Larry sat down with Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to walk through the history of aviation at LSO. Air Force Life. LPD. How would you like to fly for...

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is home to a task force dedicated to apprehending fugitives residing in or traveling through Lancaster County. In coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service, Lincoln Police Department, and other law enforcement partners, the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force seeks fugitives wherever they may be hiding. In this episode, Sergeant Hipps joins Chief Deputy Houch...

Sgt. Phil Lang joined Chief Deputy Houchin and Captain Vik to talk about LSO's Court Services Division. Phil's background. Lincoln Pius X Class of 1987. Time with the VAWA/Special Victim's Unit. Building security. The various Courts within the courthouse. Campus security. Transports - "See the World". How extraditions work. The Northwest Shuttle. Title Inspections.

It's Monday morning, which means we're reviewing weekend reports. Each day, LSO reports go through layers of employee and supervisor reviews to ensure we provide exceptional law enforcement services that reduce crime, enhance public safety, and build public trust. In today's episode, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik discuss reports and what some call the "Mond...

Col. Bolduc is currently serving as the 18th superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP). Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik caught up with Col. Bolduc to discuss operations, staffing, partnerships, and upcoming projects at NSP. Col. Bolduc's background. An overview of NSP. "A little bit of everything." Resource agency. "A big state." Communication...

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) assigns investigators to prevent pharmaceutical diversion across Nebraska. In this episode, NSP Sergeant Chris Apley, Investigator John Lukesh, and Investigator Tyler Kroenke joined the 902 Podcast to discuss an upcoming drug take-back day and their efforts to reduce the harms caused by drugs and pharmaceuticals being diverted from their originally prescribed purpos...

The Lincoln/Lancaster County Chaplaincy Corps serves alongside Lincoln Police officers, Lincoln Fire & Rescue personnel, and Lancaster County Sheriff's deputies to support victims and first responders in their times of need. Chaplain Gary Fuller sat down with Captain Vik, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Sheriff Wagner ahead of National Faith & Blue Weekend to talk about the Chaplaincy Corps,...

Brad Johnson is the director of Lancaster County Corrections. Unlike many sheriff's offices, Lancaster County has a civilian corrections department managed separately from the sheriff's office. In this episode, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik catch up with Brad to talk about the history of the Lancaster County Jail and their current day operations. Brad's backgrou...

While the walls may have changed, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office has lived on the same block within the City of Lincoln since 1874! In this episode, Captain Vik talks with Sheriff Wagner and Chief Deputy Houchin about LSO facilities from 1861 to the present day. Facility history. Early days. Original Lancaster County Jail - 1874. Lancaster County's first courthouse - 1888. The first...

9/11 hits hard for many of us, including those in public safety. We remain committed to honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women who ran toward danger that day. In this episode, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik sit down to discuss their memories of September 11, 2001 and the impact it had locally at the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. May we #NeverForget....

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson became the first guest sheriff on the 902 Podcast as “902” welcomed “901”. Sheriff Hanson sat down with Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to discuss public safety issues shared by Nebraska’s two most populous counties. Sheriff Hanson’s background. An overview of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Staffing challenges. Interagency cooperation...

With fall around the corner, hunting seasons will begin to heat up. Travis Shepler is an Assistant Administrator with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission's Law Enforcement Division. In this episode, he sits down with Captain Vik, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Sheriff Wagner to talk about how public safety meets the outdoors in Lancaster County and throughout Nebraska. Travis Shepler's pat...

LSO's Tactical Response Unit or TRU Team has grown into a highly trained, organized, and equipped group within the office. Tasked with everything from high-risk warrant service to rescue and recovery - they are the responders front line deputies call for emergency support. Investigator Jeremy Schwarz sat down with Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to discuss the unit's...

Deputy Brian Piitz is a School Resource Officer (SRO) currently assigned to Malcolm and Raymond Central Public Schools. On this episode, Deputy Piitz joins Sheriff Wagner and Captain Vik to discuss LSO's school resource officer program and safety tips for the upcoming school year. Deputy Piitz's background. History of SROs at LSO. Why we have SROs. Lancaster County school districts served...

Andrew Wegley from the Lincoln Journal Star joined Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin & Captain Vik to discuss transparency between law enforcement & the media. Andrew's background. The stories Andrew likes to tell. Steps journalists go through to publish a story. Public Records. How social media and technology has changed journalism. The media's role in a free society. Law enfor...

Sergeant Jason Mayo joined Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to discuss LSO's award winning Criminal Interdiction Task Force. He also spoke to many of the narratives and misconceptions about asset forfeiture within law enforcement and at LSO specifically. Jason's background. How the task force was formed. Task force partners. How criminal interdiction works. Policing fo...

Jared Minary is an audio/video technician for the Lincoln Police Department but he’s also involved with Lincoln/Lancaster County Crime Stoppers. Jared sits down with Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to discuss our local Crime Stoppers program, how it benefits public safety in Lancaster County, and ways to get involved. Be sure to check out www. LincolnCrimestoppers.com to lear...

Captain John Vik takes his turn answering questions with Sheriff Wagner and Chief Deputy Houchin about one of LSO's newest divisions - Professional Standards. Calvin Coolidge's view of law enforcement standards. John's background and career path. The history of Professional Standards at LSO. Changes over the years. A new division. Taking care of LSO's people. Personnel. Training. C...

Deputy Jarod Brabec joins the 902 Podcast to discuss how law enforcement agencies use armored vehicles like the Tactical Response Unit's (TRU) Bearcat. Jarod's background. Progression from hunting guide to beer delivery guy to deputy. History of armored vehicles at LSO. Need for a new vehicle. Funding. Features. Usage stats. Impacts on officer/public safety.

Assistant Lincoln Police Chief Brian Jackson joins Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to discuss the various ways both agencies seek to cooperate and avoid duplication of efforts for the citizens of Lincoln and Lancaster County. AC Jackson's background. Changing times between LSO & LPD. Joint task forces. Specialized Units. Equipment. Facilities. Major Incidents.

LSO Admin Services Officer and "Budget Guru" Sara Sump is back on the 902 Podcast to discuss the upcoming fiscal year's budget with Sheriff Wagner, Chief Houchin, and Captain Vik. LSO's budget approval process. The Sheriff's role vs. the County Board's role. Arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable. Sheriff Wagner's budget philosophy. LSO's budget by the numbers. N...

Paige Piper, Executive Director of BraveBe, joins Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Houchin, and Captain Vik to talk about Lincoln's Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Paige's road to BraveBe. The history of child advocacy centers. Lincoln's CAC. Changes over the years. A new name. BraveBe services. What to expect. BraveBe Staff/Board. Future plans. How to get involved. Be sure to visit BraveBe.o...

Former Lincoln Police Sergeant Luke Wilke and former LSO Chief Deputy Jeff Bliemeister join Chief Deputy Houchin and Captain Vik for a true crime case review of the disappearance of Melissa Schmidt. Melissa was reported missing from Lincoln, Nebraska on September 7, 1995. This is part 2 of a related case discussed on Episode 8. A missing person report. The National Center for Missing and Exploited...

"A goal without a plan is only a wish..." On this episode of the 902 Podcast, Sheriff Wagner and Chief Deputy Houchin sit down with Captain John Vik to discuss LSO's 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. What is a strategic plan? Why do we have one? Sir Robert Peel. LSO mission and values. The planning process. SWOT analysis. Goals and objectives. The full plan can be viewed at https://www.lanca...

The Marine Unit is a relatively new specialized unit to LSO. They are tasked with enforcement and safety operations in the many lakes and recreation areas within Lancaster County alongside our partners with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. In this episode, Deputy John Brady sits down with Captain Vik and Chief Deputy Houchin to provide an overview of the personal and professional history...