By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Jerry Watson had a decision to make. The 62-year-old former Hall County sheriff could have stepped away from law enforcement, slowed down and eased his way into retirement after losing his re-election bid last May. He certainly considered the option during a period of soul-searching. “Do I hit the brakes or do I hit the gas pedal?” Watson asked himself. “I decided, you know what, I’m hitting the gas pedal, and I don’t care … [Read more...] about After 30-year career, former Hall County Sheriff Jerry Watson finishing degree at UNK
Criminal Justice
Former Kearney police officer Harshbarger brings real-world experience to UNK classrooms
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – When a 22-year-old man armed with a sawed-off shotgun took numerous customers and employees hostage inside a downtown Kearney bank, Kyle Harshbarger was the commander in charge of a local SWAT team that responded to the incident. After 2 1/2 hours of negotiations, the suspect surrendered to police and nobody was injured during the ordeal. Four years later, Harshbarger was head of criminal investigations for Kearney … [Read more...] about Former Kearney police officer Harshbarger brings real-world experience to UNK classrooms
UNK hosting 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference; Three featured presenters
KEARNEY – The 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The conference, founded by the late Jim Gilbert, a former law enforcement officer and longtime criminal justice professor at UNK, brings several hundred students, professionals and community members to the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room to hear from a variety of speakers. “This conference gives us an opportunity to bring in nationally … [Read more...] about UNK hosting 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference; Three featured presenters
RETIRING: Longtime criminal justice professor Kurt Siedschlaw took long road to UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Kurt Siedschlaw was far from a model student when he started college. He was on academic probation twice in his first two years at the University of South Dakota and almost flunked out. “I didn’t know what I wanted,” said Siedschlaw, who was advised by his high school guidance counselor to join the military instead of attending college, but decided the university was a better first option than serving in the Vietnam … [Read more...] about RETIRING: Longtime criminal justice professor Kurt Siedschlaw took long road to UNK
After serious accident, UNK senior Robert Messbarger ready to serve others
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Robert Messbarger doesn’t remember the accident that nearly claimed his life. It was March 10, 2015, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney student, then a freshman, was heading to his parents’ home north of Kearney. As his 2001 Nissan pickup slowed along Highway 10 to make the turn onto West 92nd Street, the vehicle was struck from behind by a semitrailer hauling a backhoe. That collision pushed his pickup into … [Read more...] about After serious accident, UNK senior Robert Messbarger ready to serve others
