Deputy Injured After HWY 30 High-Speed Chase

*** UPDATE: 9/10/24 ***

As some of you are aware, Captain Jake Bauer was injured on duty on 08-26-2024, after he attempted to apprehend a fleeing suspect on foot and fell down an embankment and sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries to his (right) knee, leg, and (left) elbow and wrist.

He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska immediately following the accident and then later to a trauma facility in Omaha, Nebraska.

Once he arrived in Omaha, it was decided he would be unable to have the surgery due to the swelling of the injuries he sustained. The trauma team made the decision that Jake would need to undergo an intense pain management plan until the surgery is available.

On 09-04-2024, the surgery was administered throughout several hours and was successful. It was not until after the surgery that it was discovered that the pain blocker given was unsuccessful and an alternative pain management plan was administered.

During this time, Jake developed multiple ileus’s requiring an NG tube to be placed to help reduce abdominal distention, in addition, several small blood clots were discovered in his lungs, and there was a need to increase his oxygen. All of these issues are stable and will resolve with medication.

Tentatively, the plan is for Captain Bauer to receive rehabilitation services either on an inpatient or outpatient basis, and that discussion is being made with the team of doctors dedicated to his recovery.

Our hope is that Captain Bauer will return to work in a couple months, however; Bauer is not expected to be fully released back to full duty for several months. He has a long road to recovery, although his optimistic attitude and determination has already demonstrated his desire to succeed though this process. .

From the bottom of our hearts, I would like to thank our staff, our communities, our neighboring law enforcement agencies, and the abundance of support and encouragement the Bauer family and the Sheriff’s Office has received. A meal train that was set up to provide meals to assist the Bauer family has been so appreciated by the Bauer’s and all those involved in assisting them with childcare, the monetary donations, gift cards, snacks, and words of encouragement have been an inspiration to all of us.

Captain Bauer and his wife were emotional when commenting on the support from the community, neighbors, family, and friends. Jake said “It is from the bottom of our hearts that we extend a very sincere THANK YOU to all those that have sent well wishes, thoughtful prayers, food, monetary donations, gift cards, and offers of service. My wife and I will never be able to find the words to show just how much each and every gesture has meant to us.“

”We at the Sheriff’s Office have felt the love and support from our communities as well, and those concerned about Captain Bauer’s injuries. Merrick County has shown their love and concern and we can’t help but know just how important of a role that has played in Captain Bauer’s motivation to make a full recovery and return to serving the great citizens of Merrick County.

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(MERRICK CO., Neb.) – PRESS RELEASE: On 08-26-2024, at approximately 19:32 hours, a Merrick County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a blue Chevrolet pickup without any license plates and traveling at an accelerated speed while traveling eastbound on Highway 30 approaching 4th Road.

The vehicle crossed the center line of the roadway traveling in the westbound lane forcing oncoming vehicles off the roadway. The Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop with the vehicle and the driver began to flee in a reckless manner in an attempt to evade contact with law enforcement. The vehicle traveled through rural Merrick County at speeds between 60 and 90 miles per hour and after a failed attempt to turn south on St. Paul Road from Chapman Road, the vehicle entered the southwest ditch and became inoperable. The vehicle was also determined to be stolen from Hall County.

The driver fled on foot from the vehicle wearing a motorcycle helmet and dark colored clothing and entered a cornfield.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the location and a perimeter of the immediate area was established. During this time, a Merrick County Deputy located the suspect in a field and attempted to apprehend the suspect on foot. The Deputy fell down an embankment and sustained serious non-life-threatening injuries. The Deputy was transported by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island and later transported to a trauma facility in Omaha.

The suspect fled the area, and an investigation is active at this time. A collaborative effort of agencies and investigators have diligently assisted in the identification of the suspect. We believe that the suspect will be apprehended expeditiously.

The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to have received assistance from the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Nance County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Island Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol Aviation Air and Drone Support, Central Nebraska Special Response Team, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.