Otoe County Sheriff's Office

10/13/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***

October 13, 2026

Train/Semi Injury Crash
Paul, Nebraska

On October 13, 2026, at 9:26 am, the Otoe County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska City Fire & Rescue personnel responded to an injury crash involving a semi-truck and a train approximately ¼ mile north of Paul on County Road 60.

A preliminary investigation indicates a northbound Union Pacific train struck a semi-truck pulling an empty grain trailer at the crossing north of Paul.

The driver of the semi, a 62-year-old rural Nebraska City man was transported by ambulance with minor injuries. None of the train crew were injured.

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash.

Harvest season significantly increases the risks of crashes on our rural roads and railroad crossings. Please be attentive as farmers are moving large equipment and always expect trains at railroad crossings.

Sheriff Colin Caudill
[email protected]

10/02/2026

Please help keeping our highways safe!
🎈🎈GO BIG RED!!🎈🎈

10/01/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***

October 1, 2026

Water Rescue Near Dunbar

On October 1, 2026, at 6:11 am, the Otoe County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call of a man trapped at a low water crossing, clinging to a tree near County Roads 46 & H near Dunbar. Responding deputies located the 59-year-old Louisiana man approximately 100 yards south of the county road in the dark clinging to the tree in the rapidly moving floodwaters. Deputies were able to secure a strap to the man until Nebraska City & Dunbar Fire/Rescue arrived and extricated the man from the water.

An investigation indicates the man was lost and had taken a wrong turn onto County Road H and drove into the low water crossing. The man was able to escape his Jeep Liberty before it was swept away into the North Fork Little Nemaha River.

Deputies and Otoe County EMA are actively searching with drones for the vehicle. The man was not injured, and no other occupants were in the vehicle.

As rising water levels and flooding continues, the Otoe County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to never drive or walk through flooded areas or around road barricades.

Colin Caudill
Sheriff

09/22/2026

Thank you Chris for EVERYTHING you do!!

09/21/2026

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office has received requests for a booking photograph of a law enforcement officer who was recently incarcerated at the Otoe County Detention Center by the Nebraska State Patrol.

According to Nebraska State Statute13-3002

Peace officer; release of photograph; restrictions.

No municipality or county shall publicly release a photograph of a peace officer who is the subject of an investigation without the written permission of the peace officer, except that the municipality or county may display a photograph of a peace officer to a prospective witness as part of an investigation and the municipality or county may provide a photograph of a peace officer to the investigating individual to display to a prospective witness as part of the investigation. This section does not apply to any municipality or county accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office is a Nebraska Accredited Law Enforcement Agency, but is not accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA).

Names of inmates booked into the Otoe County Detention Center and their charges are placed on local media release forms. The officer's name is included on the local media release form.

The Otoe County Sheriff's Office believes in transparency and releases photographs and information when allowed by law.

09/18/2026

Support the Nebraska Sheriffs' Association!!

09/14/2026

Celebrating National Police Women's Day!!

08/12/2026

As the new school year kicks off, it's a great time to remind everyone about a few simple steps that keep our kids safe!

07/28/2026

Chief Young served with professionalism, dedication and was very respected throughout the law enforcement community.

We extend our deepest condolences to Chief Young's family, friends the City of Crete and the entire Crete Police Department.

City of Crete departments and staff are deeply saddened by the passing yesterday, July 27, of Chief of Police Gary Young. He served the Crete Police Department honorably for 41 years and was appointed Chief in 2022. A true public servant, Young was dedicated to the safety of his community and worked hard to make sure the department and officers in his command were successful in meeting the needs of residents. His commitment to the highest ideals of law enforcement and service to the Crete community will not be forgotten.

The thoughts of City of Crete staff are with his family, friends, and fellow officers during this difficult time.

Crete Police Department - Nebraska

07/14/2026

***MEDIA RELEASE***

July 14, 2026

The Otoe County Sheriff’s Office, Palmyra and Douglas Fire & Rescue units respond to rural Palmyra farm accident.

On July 14, 2026, at 12:35pm, Otoe County deputies responded to a farm accident in rural Palmyra where a 37-year-old man had his leg stuck in a grain bin auger. The man and two others were servicing the inside of a grain bin, when the man slipped causing his leg to become entrapped in the running auger. The others in the bin were able to turn off the auger and help free the victim. Arriving deputies entered the grain bin and provided medical treatment and assisted the victim out of the grain bin to arriving rescue personnel.

The man was transported by ambulance to a Lincoln area hospital with serious injuries to his leg.

Sheriff Colin Caudill
[email protected]