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Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Sgt. Laufenberg-Bellevue PD

EVENT DATE: Past: January 24, 2010: 11:00-8:00

Location: Bellevue, NE Knights of Columbus Hall
205 Industrial Road
Map

In an effort to assist Sgt. Mike Laufenberg of the Bellevue Police Department, a spaghetti feed was held on his behalf. Members of the Iron Warriors MC and Bellevue Public Safety Agencies were on hand to cook, clean, and help with the overall function of the feed. Unofficially, approximately 1,000 meals were served. In an email from Sgt. Laufenberg:

Subject: Big Thanks!

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you that had something to do with the benefit. You are all awesome Brothers & Sisters that I am so proud to have in my life. You have taken so much stress off of me financially and I don't know how I can ever repay you. I know each and everyone of you worked so hard to pull this off and many hours were put into it. You really will never know what you have done for me and my family. Thank you again and I hope to be back in-service in the near future. Thank you for taking time out of your life to assist me. God Bless all of you! Lauf

Sgt. Mike Laufenberg

B-Shift North Precinct

Bellevue Police

2010 Central Region Conference

POSTED 1-10-2010

EVENT DATE: June 17-20

This is a members only event.

Click here and login for all details for this event!!!

Man's Best Friend

The following article was retrieved from http://www.omahanewsstand.com/articles/2009/10/30/la_vista_sun/news/doc4ae85c1d07d7a780110455.txt

A recent article about newest IWMC member, 'Strip' and his partner Leda

K-9 team proves vital to La Vista Police Department

By Trenton Albers

Published: Friday, October 30, 2009 3:12 AM CDT

The phrase “man’s best friend” carries a lot of weight for La Vista Police Department K-9 officer John York. That is because it refers to his partner, Leda. She is a dog — a Belgian Malinois to be specific.

About three and a half years ago, the La Vista Police Department added a K-9 officer position to the force. York, who had always admired the K-9 officers he’d seen, applied immediately.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I’ve been in law enforcement,” said York, who has worked in law enforcement for a total of 16 years.

The department then purchased Leda, and introduced York to his new K-9 partner. She was green at first, with little police experience, so the two went straight to work training.

After a 16-week initial training when Leda first started, York said eight hours of each week are still devoted to training.

“These dogs, even though we train them up initially, are just constantly wanting to go back to being a dog, and we’re just constantly wanting them to be police officers,” York said.

But the work pays vital dividends to the department. Leda is double certified as both a narcotics and a patrol dog. On the narcotics end of her job, she can sniff out vehicles, residences and businesses for major drugs such as methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine and heroin. The patrol side, she can search businesses when an alarm goes off, track and apprehend criminals, help to find someone who is lost or even help to recover evidence.

“What all goes into it is being available, being physically prepared and making sure you and your dog are constantly keeping up on training,” York said.

York said a dog works much more efficiently in many situations police have to deal with and often keeps officers out of harm’s way.

“The rewards are tremendous,” he said.

Earlier this month, York and his K-9, Leda, had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Nebraska K-9 Championships, held by the Nebraska State Patrol at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Twenty-one teams from across Nebraska and two from neighboring states competed in the 12-event competition.

Events ranged from a 100-yard sprint to see which dog was the fastest, to scenarios that simulated situations officers might encounter on the street or during SWAT operations.

York said the best part of the day was getting to see and learn from other K-9 officers and how they handled their dogs.

“It was just a great opportunity for me to rub elbows with some of the great handlers in this state,” he said.

York said the whole trip was made worthwhile just by getting to talk to State Patrol Cpt. Mike Kerby who oversaw the event. Kerby is one of Nebraska law enforcement’s foremost experts in dog handling.

“Just to spend five minutes with him and his staff was worth the time and the travel down there,” York said.

York and Leda brought two medals back to La Vista. They earned a bronze medal in the Critical Skills event, which is a series of events wrapped into one that tests dog obedience, the dog’s ability to stay obedient during gunfire, and the dog’s ability to defend its handler among other skills. They also earned a gold medal in the High-Risk Building Search event, which tested the duo’s building search skills.

York said he was please with the team’s gold medal because building searches are something they do most often during their job.

York said he was also proud of the Bellevue K-9 officers, who he trains with weekly, for taking home quite a few medals as well.

When York and Leda are not on duty, York said his K-9 is just an average dog. Leda, who stays with her handler outside of work, likes to lay in piles of leaves when she is off duty.

“It feels like something is missing when she’s not around,” York said.

Club Member 'ZHog' Keeping Offutt AFB Safe

Investigations section helps keep Offutt safe

Retrieved 1-10-10 from http://www.offutt.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123184560

1/7/2010 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- If your property is stolen or vandalized or someone you know has been assaulted there's a team within the 55th Security Forces Squadron with the expertise to help you.

The 55th SFS Investigations Section investigates a wide variety of crimes including theft, assault and drug-related incidents.

Corey D. Zimmer, chief of 55th SFS criminal investigations, said crime at Offutt for the most part is decreasing. However, Mr. Zimmer stressed members of Team Offutt shouldn't develop a false sense of security simply because they live or work in a military environment.

"Stolen unsecured property is our biggest problem," Mr. Zimmer said. "Not securing and marking your property will ensure that unsavory person will be happier with your (things)."

While theft remains a constant concern, Mr. Zimmer said, Offutt is fortunate to not have the volume of violent crime seen in most civilian communities.

"We are lucky in a sense because we don't have a high rate of violent crimes such as assault, rape, abuse or social crimes," Mr. Zimmer said. "This is partly based on the fact that the majority of the personnel we deal with on a daily basis have a true sense of integrity and try to do the right thing."

For those who don't do the right thing, Mr. Zimmer and the other two people who make up his highly trained team are ready to do what is necessary to see that justice is served.

Each security forces investigator completes the eight-week U.S. Army Military Police Investigator course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. During the course, investigators learn the military and civilian justice process, search procedures, drug identification, undercover operations, surveillance techniques and crime scene management.

Investigators are also experts in weapons handling and firing, and receive extensive self defense training.

Staff Sgt. Aaron C. Agrelius, served as an investigator at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, before coming to Offutt. For the past three years he's been a member of the 55th SFS investigation team, a job he said he really enjoys.

"I love (my job)," Sergeant Agrelius said. "It's a job that allows me to use my mind and forces me to think outside the box, I have to try to be one step ahead of the suspects and the job involves a lot of strategy."

The 55th SFS investigations section does more than simply perform criminal investigations, Sergeant Agrelius explained.

"We are involved in a number of community outreach programs such as Cell Phones for Domestic Abuse Victims, which gives recycled cell phones to victims of domestic abuse (so they) can call 911," he said.

"We also see ourselves as a part of crime prevention (as we) educate the public about the importance of locking doors and securing property," Sergeant Agrelius said, "and we put out bulletins about crime trends and suggestions on how to avoid becoming a victim."

Not becoming a victim requires increased awareness, Mr. Zimmer said.

"People must always be aware of their surroundings (including) who is around them or the lack of people around them," Mr. Zimmer explained.

Be aware of local danger areas, know the numbers to local law enforcement agencies and be prepared to be an informative witness or victim in the event a crime occurs, he added.

"It's sad but in this ever increasing violent world you can bet that at some point in your life you or someone you (know) will become a victim of some type of crime," Mr. Zimmer said. "Hopefully that crime isn't a violent (one), but none-the-less, prepare yourself mentally and physically to keep a clear head to report details and be ready to put up a fight for your life if necessary."

Along with investigating crimes, educating the public and engaging in community outreach programs, Offutt's investigators also play a key role in anti-terrorism and regularly advise on-duty security forces flights. One investigator is also on-call 24-hours a day to respond to a variety of situations.

Lt. Col. Brian A. Barthel, 55th SFS commander, said he's very proud of his investigation team.

"(Our) investigations section is the best I've seen in my 18-year career," Colonel Barthel said.

"They are led by an even keeled, extremely knowledgeable leader who yearns to make a difference every day," Colonel Barthel added. "Mr. Zimmer has done a fantastic job grooming his personnel and fostering tight bonds with the local populace."

According to Colonel Barthel, the 55th investigations section maintain an amazing 90 percent solve rate.

"The best part about our investigation section is they don't wait to be asked to do something, they just go out and make things happen every day," Colonel Barthel said. "I'm very proud of them and the products they produce."

For more information about the 55th SFS investigations section or to report a crime, call 294-6813. Crimes may also be reported in person at the investigations office in Bldg. 160 Room B-120, or by calling the Base Defense Operations Center at 294-6110 or 294-6119.

EMBROIDERY

EMBROIDERY!!!
January 2009

Frustrated with those who embroider, Clean and Ajax have taken it upon themselves to purchase an embroidery machine so we can keep up with the need for Moniker and Chapter distinction patches for the Order of the Garter and IWMC. But if you have other things you want embroidered...shirts, headwraps, bandanas, etc. let us know....we'll take care of you...IN A TIMELY MANNER TOO!!!

All Star Stitches

Iron Warriors MC-Nebraska

We Fight What You Fear

Story Time

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for Sgt. Laufenberg-Bellevue PD

2010 Central Region Conference

Man's Best Friend

K-9 team proves vital to La Vista Police Department

Club Member 'ZHog' Keeping Offutt AFB Safe

EMBROIDERY

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