CENTER, Neb. — The sheriff of a northeast Nebraska county is responding to the county board’s decision to fire multiple staff members.

Knox County Sheriff Don Henery issued as statement about the dismissals on Friday saying he was “very disappointed” in the board’s actions. The statement follows the Board of Supervisors’ decision to suspend County Attorney Hanna Knox Jensen without pay for a year, fire Chief Deputy Sheriff Dan Henery and fire 911 Coordinator Heather Kienow. The dismissals came following an investigation by Special Knox County Attorney David Begley into the placement of a microphone in the county boardroom. Begley alleged the employees knew the microphone was live during closed sessions of the board and during personal staff conversations.

Henery’s statement specifically addressed the board’s firing of Kienow and Dan Henery, who is the sheriff’s brother.

“Neither they nor myself, as their Elected Official employer were given an opportunity to read and respond to the 40+ page report and the many errors in the report before the Board fired them,” Henery said. “Even though I requested and was refused the report two days before the August 27, 2025 meeting.”

A news release from the board on Wednesday said it requested that Henery fire the two employees and that he refused. The board then fired them on its own.

In his statement, Henery said the situation was unfortunate and that the two employees “deserve to be treated way better than they were.”

Knox Jensen’s offense read a statement when reached over the phone on Wednesday. Her office described the investigation as “secret” and said it wouldn’t comment until further evidence was presented.

--- Full Statement from Sheriff Don Henery ---

This will be the only news release made by Knox County Sheriff Don Henery in reference to the incident on August 27, 2025.

I am and was very disappointed in the actions and outcome taken by the Knox County Board of Supervisors at the advice of the special Knox County attorney David Begley.

Two very important and vital teammates of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office were not only removed from service of the office, but the service and protection of the Knox County taxpayers. These two both have distinguished public service careers.

Neither they nor myself, as their Elected Official employer were given an opportunity to read and respond to the 40+ page report and the many errors in the report before the Board fired them. Even though I requested and was refused the report two days before the August 27, 2025 meeting.

Daniel Henery, entered into the Armed Forces upon graduation from High School and served with honor and distinction in the United States Army.

Upon returning to civilian life, he entered into a career of law-enforcement that has spanned over 30 years.

If small towns and departments handed out awards to officers like the big cities do this man would have received many. Going above and beyond more times can be mentioned. Never asking for the spotlight while doing so.

Heather Kienow also has had a very honored civilian service career. Working for numerous federal and state agencies throughout her thirty plus year career before moving to Knox County, Nebraska, where I was lucky enough to employ her services for the Knox County taxpayers. She has ever asked to be in the spotlight in fact goes out of her way to avoid it. These two people yes I said people not individuals because they are people just like you and I, deserve to be treated way better than they were.

It’s unfortunate that this action has happened.