The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Central Nebraska Special Response Team to provide additional services/resources to our communities along with several other law enforcement agencies to include the Howard, Nance, Sherman, and Custer County Sheriffs’ Offices along with the Saint Paul Police Department. 

“In today’s culture, law enforcement agencies experience demands for additional resources and the need for specialized units,” says Merrick County Sheriff John Westman. “These specialized units are equipped and trained to successfully handle these demands. The mission of these highly trained and specially equipped units is to bring police incidents involving highly volatile situations including active threat situations, persons with weapons, barricaded and/or hostage incidents, suicidal calls, and high-risk warrant service operations under control.  These types of units are the heavily equipped within an agency and demand deliberative decision-making and oversight.”  

With that in mind, the Sheriff’s Office received a generous donation from Strobel Manufacturing in Clarks, Nebraska, for the Special Response Team. This allowed for the purchase of equipment needed and the ability to implement these resources and provide the equipment and tactics needed to best aid our communities when these threats jeopardize the safety of our citizens.  Deputy Danial Parker was selected to represent the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office as the Merrick County Member for the Central Nebraska Special Response Team. 

“Danial came to me last September and explained what he was wanting to do,” says Strobel Manufacturing Inc. General Manager, Shane Strobel. “I thought it was a great way for Strobel to get involved and to help the local county sheriff’s department out. I know it was somewhat expensive and I know that the County’s budget doesn’t always have that in it. We were able to come up with some funds to help him purchase all necessary equipment.”

Monday afternoon Deputy Parker was able to show off his gear to representatives of Strobel Manufacturing as he gave an overview of his equipment and how it can save lives when needed. 
The gear is a step up from normal patrol gear and will be used to aid in higher stress situations that arise in Central Nebraska.

“Without the partnership with Strobel Manufacturing and support from our communities’ shareholders, it would be difficult to provide these specialized resources in those situations that demand this type of attention,” adds Sheriff Westman. “It is not a matter of if, but when, these incidents occur, that we need to be prepared to respond without relying solely on the assistance from other law enforcement agencies.    
“The funding for the equipment needed for the SRT team has been purchased by monetary donations and not from tax asking dollars thus far, therefore, we are grateful to those who have donated to the SRT Team. We are excited to implement this additional resource to the Sheriff’s Office, as we will always continue our mission to partner with the community for a safer tomorrow.”

Deputy Parker now stands ready to answer the call along with the Central Nebraska Special Response Team thanks to the donation from Strobel Manufacturing. Whether it be an active shooter or any other specialized situation that may arise, the group will apply their gear and training towards helping in any way that they can.