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Lincoln County attorney can’t file charges against sheriff

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By The Associated Press

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 05:10:06 pm CDT

NORTH PLATTE — The Lincoln County attorney says charges will not be filed against Sheriff Jerome Kramer, who has admitted to drinking beer while riding in a car.

Kramer has said he made a stupid decision when he and four deputies drank beer in a car on their way to a March 26 seminar in Lincoln. Kramer said they were all off duty, and a fifth deputy who was driving the vehicle did not drink.

County Attorney Rebecca Harling says the incident didn’t happen in Lincoln County and her office has no jurisdiction in the matter.

Related Link(s):


Sheriff under fire for drinking in car on trip

Because Kramer and his deputies were not cited for having an open container, the county Board of Commissioners is the only remaining entity that could discipline them.


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Former North Platter... wrote on May 10, 2008 5:24 pm:
" I think what makes this case so sad is the fact that just a few years ago two young NP Police Officers died another was seriously injured and the fourth...the driver ruined his career and will suffer the rest of his life with guilt for doing the exact same thing on I-80. Yes, these men were only human but they knew better and they swore to uphold the law. I work in Law Enforcement as well and I don't blame them for doing what everyone else does...but a line has been crossed more once by Officials in NP and something needs to be done before my lives are lost. "

 Dave wrote on May 10, 2008 6:50 pm:
" Surprised? I'm not! "

 NP grad wrote on May 10, 2008 7:29 pm:
" Is it really surprising to hear about an alcohol related incident in NP? What else is there to do in that town besides drink? "

 Greg wrote on May 10, 2008 9:21 pm:
" Next time he pulls you over for open container, just show him this report. Guess it is no big deal to be in a car drinking as long as you are not driving. I can not wait to go on a road trip with my friends! "

 Anya wrote on May 10, 2008 10:21 pm:
" Wow, this is really scary that someone who works in Law Enforcement (Former North Platter) does not blame them "for doing what everyone else does." HELLO! I don't do this! Everyone else does not break this law! And as to NP Grad, they were not in North Platte when this occured! And I can't tell you how SICK I am of hearing that there is nothing better to do in Nebraska than drink! I grew up on a farm outside of a small town and I managed to get through that hellish experience without drinking! "

 eric wrote on May 10, 2008 10:50 pm:
" WOW! get over it. they had a Sober Driver. they were blowing off steam..... "

 DWII wrote on May 11, 2008 12:38 am:
" And that last comment:
" Next time he pulls you over for open container, just show him this report. Guess it is no big deal to be in a car drinking as long as you are not driving. I can not wait to go on a road trip with my friends! "

Makes me BEG someone to do something to show that this is NOT OK!!!! "

 b dog wrote on May 11, 2008 6:45 am:
" They were not given special treatment people. The fact that they didn't get charged is the same reason anyone else wouldn't get charged. They were not observed by a law enforcement in whatever county they were in.
No other citizen would be charged just because they admitted doing it. An on duty cop has to see the open alcohol in the vehicle.
On the flip side, Yes they should be disciplined by their department. Keep in mind people that this isn't the crime of the century and although they violated a very minor offense for being in a car drinking, they weren't driving drunk. Everyone thinks that because a cop can enjoy a beer that it's such a shame. Yea they made a bad choice in how they enjoyed it but lighten up. "

 Bystander wrote on May 11, 2008 7:51 am:
" I don't believe the NP incident was the exact same thing. Wasn't that driver drinking (drunk) at the time? And the two officers died. In this instance there was a DD and there wasn't even a fender bender involved. I'm not condoning the sheriffs or his deputies actions, I think what they did was stupid but in no way the "exact same thing." "

 Dan wrote on May 11, 2008 8:22 am:
" What a surprise! Just another classic example of the powers that be, being able to get away with whatever when us common people would have had our feet held to the fire. No wonder most of the cops have the attitudes they have, they're part of the elite. John Bruning here's your chance to get your name and picture in the news again, and prove me wrong. "

 rick wrote on May 11, 2008 8:47 am:
" who cares? he unwinds and opens a beer. yes, if he got a ticket then he would deal with it. he is only human,and being a cop, probably more so. "

 mike wrote on May 11, 2008 8:50 am:
" I would like to know who ratted him out. "

 Joe wrote on May 11, 2008 9:14 am:
" You are exactly right Greg, how can any of these officers ticket anybody else for the same thing they did? "

 Scott wrote on May 11, 2008 9:17 am:
" Well, the CA is absolutely right. If it didn't happen in her county, she can't do anything about it. I don't suppose the Good Sheriff would volunteer to tell exactly what county they were in on I-80 when the violation occured so THAT county could file charges... "

 Going to the seminar wrote on May 11, 2008 9:32 am:
" And showing up with beer on my breath? How disrespectful to the tax payers of North Platte. I have traveled by car to many seminars, I would never want to be an embarrasment to my company, in any way --if you have to drink beer while going to a seminar, believe me, you probably are not going to get much education out of it. Admit it, you were looking for a excuse to party. "

 MARKO wrote on May 11, 2008 11:49 am:
" Just curious. What law enforcement agency stopped this vehicle and did not issue a citation --- especially when the occupants admitted to the offense?
Is there a standard for law enforcement and different standard for the public? "

 me wrote on May 11, 2008 5:47 pm:
" What's good for the goose is good for the gander. They should be charged, fined and convicted just like the average joe. These cops that think they are above the law, have no place in this profession anyhow. get 'em gone now. "

 Omaha wrote on May 11, 2008 5:48 pm:
" Bad judgement. Best choice for law enforcement? We're human-not perfect! "

 lawchange wrote on May 12, 2008 11:58 am:
" change the law. it should be illegal to drink in a vehicle unless you're driving. just who gets hurt by that behavior. NO ONE that's who so its a stupid law and needs to be changed. what this law does is encourages passengers to toss out the empties so they dont have an open container. "

 natefrog wrote on May 12, 2008 3:38 pm:
" Interesting to see the comments here. It appears many people are willing treat this as a "boys will be boys", "welcome to the good ol' boys club" sort of thing. When society views alcohol as a nothing to be concerned about rather than a mind-altering drug, is it any wonder why we have a drunk driving problem? "

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