End of Watch: Nebraska police officer killed in the line of duty
On April 13, The Nebraska State Patrol announced their heartbreak when sharing the tragic news of the passing of Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett, who died Friday evening after his patrol unit was struck by another vehicle while he was performing a traffic stop.
At approximately 7:37 p.m. Friday, a 911 call came in regarding a multi-vehicle crash that had just occurred near the intersection of Highway 77 and Little Salt Road, about one mile south of Ceresco on Highway 77. Responding agencies began arriving within four minutes and found bystanders assisting Officer Bartlett and the others involved in the crash.
Officer Bartlett, 54, was life-flighted to Bryan Health West Campus by Star Care. Despite the efforts of bystanders on the scene, first responders, and medical personnel, Officer Bartlett succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased Friday evening at the hospital.
Preliminary investigation shows that the crash occurred when Officer Bartlett was conducting a traffic stop on southbound Highway 77. Officer Bartlett’s patrol vehicle and a Nissan Altima were parked on the shoulder of Highway 77. While both Officer Bartlett and the driver of the Nissan were seated in their own vehicles, a southbound Ford F-150 struck the Ceresco PD cruiser from the rear, causing it to hit the Nissan.
The driver of the Nissan, Ke’vion Hill, 27, of Lincoln, suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Bryan Health West Campus. The driver of the Ford, Tony Pierce, 49, of Crete, was not seriously injured.
The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction investigation. Once complete, the findings will be presented to the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office.
“He really brought a lot to our department,” a shaken Ceresco Police Chief Tony Hernandez said at a news conference. “He wrote a lot of our grants. … He was a really, really really professional officer. And his personality was outstanding. I’m going to miss him dearly, and I’m blessed that our paths crossed.” ~ The Associated Press
Officer Bartlett erved with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and the Ceresco PD since 2017. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for Ceresco. Prior to those assignments, he served with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, and Newman Grove Police Department.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until 5 p.m. on the day of the officer’s burial.
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(Source and Cover photo depicting Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett: Nebraska State Patrol)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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