" Is this really news? Let them be human! "

" When your job is enforcing the law, or prosecuting/sentencing those that break it, you've got to be cleaner than clean. "

" So what? I don't see the issue... Some states allow open containers in vehicles as long as the driver isn't drinking, sounds like they were being safe having a DD... Which one of the deputies in the car snitched? "

" I must wonder, what other stupid decisions has he made. "

" I love the people wanting to cut this guy a break. You think the law's too strict, then change it first. Until then, it's the RULE. You know darn well you would have the boom lowered on you if Sheriff Kramer found you just "letting your hair down." Enforcing the law doesn't put one above it. "

" The big deal or issue is it is against the law to have an open container in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in Nebraska, it doesn't say that it doesn't apply to officers, they are NOT above the law. No doubt they have given out tickets for the same thing, nothing but a bunch of hypocrits. "

" Who cares they were having a good time and being as safe as you can be with a DD how man males in Nebraska have not done this sort of thing at least once if not more with or without a DD or possibly be in a car with a driver who as had a drink or two. So this is not news at all and perfectly fine with me as long as the driver was not drinking it is okay in my book. The person who probably snitched was probably the DD because he probably wanted to drink. "

" What I hear from the Sheriff is that "I got caught and I'm sorry." What he really meant is that I'm sorry that I got caught. What a fool to openly violate the open container law and then try to apologize out of it by saying you were letting your hair down. If your hair is that long...cut it. HA,HA!! You are in law enforcement...make sure that you follow it yourself. you are not allowed to break it just because you need to have a break. Why couldn't these guys wait until they got to where they were going? Why would they be drinking before the conference? Very Impressive. NOT! "

" Boys will be boys...let them be. "

" The sheriff sets the standard for his deputies and correctional officers. If the sheriff cannot obey Nebraska's open container's law, then (obviously) how can his staff.

In this article the sheriff reportedly said he and the deputies were off duty, but they were going to a seminar. The sheriff also reportedly said he was on call 24 hours a day. I think the fact they were going to the seminar indicates they were engaged in official business. They all should have known alcohol was off limits. "

" Typical "red neck" law enforcement. "The law don't apply to us." Sounds like a good case for AG Bruning to prosecute, since we do have an open container law. Make an example of all of them. They should be fired. "

" Is this really news? I thought all law enforcement personel were human? I would be more concerned if hw were driving a car and talking on a cell phone. The snitch is the one who has destroyed his reputation amoung his peers. He/she can never be trusted again and it won't be hard for all involved to figure out who it was. "

" A refreshing approach to "getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar". I would trust this guy. The person I wouldn't trust is the individual who "leaked" this story. We are all human folks. I'm quite sure the "hang'em high crowd" would love to see a lynching for this. "

" Who cares. He did nothing illegal and feels stupid. I agree which other person in the car narked on him. Too bad he can't enjoy himself once in a while w/o coming under the gun. "

" Open alcohol containers are NOT allowed in cars.  People with open containers even passengers can be ticketed for this. "

" Yes, they need to try and set good examples 24/7, but nobody's a saint. Leave them alone. Document that it happened and move on. "

" he wasn't drinking and driving, don't be so hard on him... "

" Jay,

Try telling that to a family member who has lost someone in an accident involving alcohol, or someone who has lost a leg due to a drunk drive. I am guessing you do this sometimes Jay. "

" To hmmm, so states allow it but Nebraska DOES NOT. This person was duly sworn to uphold the laws of the State of Nebraska. Punishment of some kind is in order. "

" I agree let them be normal, who cares. At least he had a DD. This shouldnt even be news. "

" How can this guy think this was OK? And how many times has this sheriff or his deputies ticketed people for this?

And I hope LPD is reading these comments from all these people who think this is OK. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE start doing more random breathalyser stops on the streets of Lincoln! It's concerning that so many people think it's OK to drink and drive. "

" big deal, non news worthy "

" Goes to show you that even the cops think the laws in Nebraska are stupid like everyone else.
When cops are off duty they should just be a regular joe on the street and pay the piper like everyone else and it should'nt affect their job later for just being human, we would have a much higher quality of law enforcement person on the street if they were not held to non human, squeaky clean image standards. I don't like cops but would and could if they would act normal at times and I do feel sorry for them because of the expectations the public has put on them.
To me, this is no different than the guys going hunting or fishing and having a designated driver, leave them alone, they need to unwind sometimes too. "

" what is the big deal we all need a beer sum times "

" This should be made clear, so I think it deserves restating.

"Open alcohol containers are NOT allowed in cars."

Laws must be enforced, and as we all are aware, officers due to the nature of their job are held to a higher standard. An individual who is charged with enforcing the law should not go around breaking those very laws once he is off duty, such action is hypocritical and has a detrimental effect on the greater society's attitude toward the law. An officer can not reasonably expect to arrest or fine a citizen offender and expect justice to be present when that officer commits the same violation freely. The principle that no one in society is above the law, is a pillar of western democracy and would be jeopardized if these officers are not punished.

These officers, should face stiff disciplinary action, not excluding the possibility of termination.
"

" That's the trouble with small-town law enforcement--they are paid very little so you get only idiots who want to be a cop. These are the people who were truck drivers and factory workers before they took that high-paying cop job for $25,000 a year (in Smallville). "

" Come on...haven't most of us done it at one point or another?? When is he allowed to be a guy and have a beer??
I don't mind and neither should anyone else...the DRIVER was NOT drinking!! "

" The problem is that they have problem cited others for doing the same thing. Those people would be denied if they applied for law enforcement jobs with that type of citation.

Lets enforce the same standards for everyone. Fire them and send them home to thier families in shame like they deserve.

Besides, what type of example are they setting for our children, and the general public? "

" This is not news????? He would sure as hell give you or your passenger a ticket for an open conatiner. "

" I completely agree with "cleaner than clean".
Laws are laws, we must all abide by them, badge or not. "

" Another example of do as I say, not as I do. I'll bet if anyone of them four would of pulled a carload of ordinary citizens over under the same circumstances, they would of wrote them up pronto! Cops these days have a zero tolerance policy on just about everything, and that is just what these four deserve! "

" with passengers drinking alcohol. But if it's illegal for us to do it, law enforcement shouldn't do it, either. Could we talk our way out of a ticket by saying it was a stupid decision and "I shouldn't have done it"? "

" Good thing all the crimes in the state are solved:) Can we please focus on bigger issues here. Damn i love bored Americans......Great country.... "

" This is a story. This type of behavior gives all law enforcement a bad name. If you are sworn to uphold the law you should have the integrity not to break the law. What is worse is he is the Sheriff, the chief law enforcement officer in his county. Every day, sheriff's offices fight to prove they are professional law enforcement and not some good 'ol boy agency. Thanks for embarrassing all the other sheriff's office's who are trying to provide professional service. "

" In Nebraska it is Illegal to have an open container in a moving vehicle! That is the issue. I don't care about "other" states. This is Nebraska! How can he uphold the law if he so casually breaks it?
And how do we all KNOW that the driver was not drinking?? Because a law breaking sheriff said so? I am glad that this "snitch" came forward, hopefully something will be done about this so that I feel a little bit safer about driving down I-80. "

" so exactly which laws are we going to enforce? exactly because it is common is the reason the law is in place. fire him. "

" So let me get this straight. Some of you believe it's a bad thing that somebody reported illegal behavior but you don't have a problem with the illegal behavior? That the person you can't trust is the person who reported the illegal act, but the one you can is the ones who commited the act? Yeah, that makes sense.
"

" What part of illegal dont they understand?When law-men break the law,there is no law. "

" I do not think it is right that the sheriff was drinking beer in the vehicle, but they weren't pulled over for it. Remember that old saying "Its only against the law if you get caught". I believe that applies here. It is obvious that someone holds a grudge against the sheriff and is too much of a coward to confront the man himself.

Let the man be. I am sure he will be more careful in the future not to drink with idiots who want to gossip about their boss. "