Questions Linger At Scene Of Officer-Involved Shooting
2 Bellevue Officers Injured

POSTED: 7:55 a.m. CDT August 24, 2005
UPDATED: 11:40 a.m. CDT August 24, 2005


Story by The Omaha Channel

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Two uniformed Bellevue police officers were injured during a shooting incident Wednesday morning, and a suspect is dead.

The incident happened at about 3:30 a.m. near the corner of Madison Street and Mission Avenue in the heart of Bellevue. Police are still piecing together the details of what happened outside of a Kwik Shop at the intersection. It started with a traffic stop on a green Honda Accord. Somehow, the male suspect managed to hit at least one of the officers with his car, and in turn, was shot by at least once by police.

The man, who has not been identified, was transported by medical helicopter and pronounced dead at the Nebraska Medical Center.

Both Bellevue officers were taken to a hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not released details of the officers' injuries.

Bellevue Police Chief John Stacey said he met with the families of the officers Wednesday morning.

Because it is an officer-involved shooting, the Major Case Investigation Team has been called in. The team is a collection of officers from several different agencies, all under the direction of the Sarpy County Attorney's Office.

The streets had been closed to traffic during the morning drive time, but they reopened at about 10:30 a.m.

Officers Face Investigation After Shooting
Department Stands Behind Two Officers Involved In Shooting

POSTED: 8:12 a.m. CDT August 25, 2005
UPDATED: 11:25 a.m. CDT August 25, 2005


Story by The Omaha Channel

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Two Bellevue police officers are out of a hospital and on administrative leave after a man they pulled over on a traffic stop early Wednesday morning was shot and killed. The police chief said the officers are shaken up, and the men's colleagues said it was a long day for the entire department.

Officers Carl Grubb and Chris Abbott pulled over Adam Reinhardt, 23, at about 3:15 a.m. The traffic stop happened in a Kwik Shop parking lot at the corner of Madison Street and Mission Avenue.

Reinhardt got out of his car, but just a few minutes later, he allegedly jumped back in and threw the car into reverse. Reinhardt's car pinned one officer against the police cruiser and dragged the other officer. At least one of the officers then fired at Reinhardt's car, hitting Reinhardt. He later died at a hospital.


Bellevue Police Officer Dontrell Ducker heard about the shooting at about 4 a.m.

"You kind of step back a little bit, put yourself in his shoes," Ducker said. "It makes you think how fast things can change in this job."

Grubb and Abbott had injuries to their legs, but both are expected to be OK.

"They have a lot of emotion," said Bellevue Police Chief John Stacey. "They're reliving every moment, every second, playing it in their minds. They can't get it out of their heads."

Ducker said thoughts of the officers and their families are always in the back of his mind. He trained with Abbott, since both men started their careers with Bellevue.

"You're still thinking about him and Grubb," Ducker said. "But you still have a job to do."

The officers are on paid administrative leave. Because it is an officer-involved shooting, the Major Case Investigation Team has been called in. The team is a collection of officers from several different agencies, all under the direction of the Sarpy County Attorney's Office.

Deputy Sarpy County Attorney Tricia Freeman said a grand jury will be convened to look into the death.

Reinhardt's criminal record includes a warrant out for his arrest. Since March of 1999, when Reinhardt was 17 years old, he's been arrested 11 times. At the time of his death, he was on probation and had two pending court dates; one an arraignment for domestic assault and disturbing the peace and the other a sentencing for methamphetamine possession and shoplifting. Both are felonies.

At this point, it is unclear whether Reinhardt had been using drugs or alcohol before the incident night. Investigators are conducting an autopsy. An attorney for Reinhardt's family released a statement saying the family is grieving, not just for his death, but the manner in which he died. They hope the grand jury process answers their questions about what happened.

Good for them!  Here's to a quick recovery and a quick burial.

As Toby Keith said, "..It's time the long arm of the law put a few more in the ground..."