COLUMBUS, Neb. -- Law enforcement in northeast Nebraska welcomes a Marine Corps veteran as their new officer recruit. 

The Columbus Police Department recently had Chief Charles Sherer announce his plans to retire, so they have a new police officer recruit.

Laura Hespen, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve veteran and local Columbus resident, was introduced at the Feb. 3, 2025 City Council meeting via an appointment by Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley. 

The City said the appointment was approved subject to a successful completion of all tests and training. 

Hespen is currently a deputy sheriff with the Butler County Sheriff's Office. 

“I’m very excited. This is something that I’ve wanted for awhile,” Hespen said. “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. “

Hespen is a Schuyler High School alumna, has taken courses at Central Community College, and has experience as a correctional officer for the Platte County Sheriff's Office. 

The City said she has already attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, which will speed up her training at CPD.

“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, Hespen said she hopes she can help shatter the stigma some have about cops being out to get people and only around when people 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.”

The City said 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.

At the meeting, council members also took time to congratulate CPD Chief Sherer on his retirement announcement. 

“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.