COLUMBUS, Neb. (Press Release) -- The Columbus Police Department continues to press on after Chief Charles Sherer recently announced his plans to retire, as another new police officer recruit was introduced to the City Council on Monday night.

During the Council’s regular meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve veteran and local resident Laura Hespen was introduced to the council via an appointment by Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley. The appointment was approved subject to a successful completion of all tests and training. She’s currently a deputy sheriff at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m very excited. This is something that I’ve wanted for awhile,” Hespen said, after the meeting. “I had a couple of buddies that were actually working with CPD … I heard a lot of amazing things about their experience and how it has been the best for them. I've lived in this community 90% of my life, and to be able to work in a community that you live in is very different than working in a community that you're not really a part of, because here, everything that I do not only affects the people here, but it also affects me. It affects my children.“

A Schuyler High School alumna, Hespen has taken coursework at Central Community College and has experience as a correctional officer for the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. She has also already attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, which will speed along her training with CPD.

Hespen spoke with passion about her law enforcement career, noting she believes she has truly found her calling.

“I grew up in a single-parent household and I helped take care of my younger siblings. So, I wanted to do something that mattered. I just didn't know how,” Hespen said. “So when I came home from the Marine Corps, it was kind of hard to find that footing. and now that I've found it, I'm ready to take off running.”

As a Columbus Police officer, she hopes she can help shatter the stigma some have about cops being out to get you and only around when you do something wrong – she wants young kids specifically to know police officers are here to protect the community.

“I want Columbus to understand that I'm super understanding. I'm here to help. I'm here to make a difference,” she said. “It's about safety more than it is about people getting in trouble or doing something they're not supposed to do. It's about keeping them and everybody else around them safe. That is my biggest goal.”

First Ward City Councilman Charlie Bahr and Second Ward City Councilman Troy Hiemer said they are happy to see Hespen join the CPD ranks as the department continues to work to become fully staffed.

That said, the meeting was somewhat bittersweet as councilmembers also took time to congratulate CPD Chief Sherer on his retirement announcement. You can learn more about that and the search for his replacement by reading the press release here.

“I hate to see it, No. 1,” Bahr said. “He's been an excellent leader. I know all of the officers under his command truly respect him and it's not just something that they're saying. They truly do. and he's done an excellent job.”

Hiemer agreed.

“When I heard the news, I was disappointed, but very happy for the chief,” he said. “You know, it'll be big shoes to fill. I'm sure we'll find somebody to move into the position and take over where he's leaving off, but I wish him the best. He's done a great service for the community.”

Sherer publicly thanked Mayor Bulkley, the City Council, City administration and staff, as well as the community, during the meeting.