Congratulations to Ken Kanger our most recent inductee into the National Society of St. Florian and St. Michael.
Today we honor Deputy Chief Ken Kanger. Deputy Chief Ken Kanger began his work with the Omaha Police Department in 1997 as a Police Officer. He has worked in the Uniform Patrol Bureau in the Northwest and Northeast Precincts, as well as the Criminal Investigations Bureau in the Special Victims Unit, Homicide Unit and Narcotics Unit.
He was promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and assigned as a supervisor in the Northeast Precinct of the Uniform Patrol Bureau, and then was assigned to the Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Bureau. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2010 and assigned to the Crime Analysis Unit. In 2012, he was assigned to the Gang Unit where he saw the opportunity to work with youth through intervention and prevention to keep kids from becoming involved in criminal activity or becoming victims of violence.
He was promoted to Captain in 2017 and was assigned to command the Special Operations Section of the Criminal Investigations Bureau, which includes both the Gang and Narcotics Units. He now serves in the role of Deputy Chief, overseeing the entire Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Deputy Chief Kanger sees the potential in the youth of our community. He strongly believes in the message set by Inky Johnson, a former college football player who was injured and turned his injury into motivation for himself and others. Johnson tells people to “empty the bucket”, to give everything you’ve got. You can see Deputy Chief Kanger spreading this message in our community.
Deputy Chief Kanger serves our community on the baseball field as a volunteer coach for PACE (Police Athletics for Community Engagement). He strives to give our youth an outlet for success through positive interactions and activities. He has helped establish and participates in a growing initiative called Operation NETS (Neighborhood Engagement Through Sports) which replaces torn neighborhood basketball nets with new ones and provides new sports equipment to at risk youth. He is also a coach through Operation NETS. It is reported he builds relationships with kids and the community. He truly cares for people and his actions speak volumes. Just spend a few minutes with Deputy Chief Kanger and you will see it for yourself.
Deputy Chief Kanger received the Metropolitan Chief’s Association Leadership Award and the Kerrie Orozco Award for Community Service in 2017. He was the Crime Stoppers Jack Swanson – Lloyd Grimm Officer of the Year in 2003. He’s also involved with Gesu Housing, Abide, Coalition RX and he is a consistent presence at Omaha 360.
Deputy Chief Kanger was nominated by a kind citizen who wanted to see him recognized for his commitment to public safety and bettering the community.
Deputy Chief Kanger subscribes to one motto, “Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself”.
We thank Deputy Chief Kanger for his dedicated service to the city of Omaha and for making a difference in the lives of so many in our community. Again, congratulations Ken!
Nominate your hero to receive this outstanding recognition. Nominees receive a Personalized Certificate and a two-sided Saint Florian and Saint Michael Challenge Coin in a showcase box. Click here to learn more.
Congratulations to David Sobotka our most recent inductee into the National Society of St. Florian and St. Michael.
Today we honor Omaha Fire Investigator David Sobotka and his K9 partner “Alley”. David has been with Omaha Fire for 17 years and has been assigned to the fire investigation Unit for the last 7 years. In 2016 David became the first Arson Dog Handler for the city of Omaha when he attended training for five weeks in Maine, and returned with Alley. Alley is currently the only arson dog within the state of Nebraska, and Omaha is lucky to have her.
David and Alley work as a team investigating fires to determine if the fire was an accident or was an intentionally set arson. The team meticulously searches and researches each fire to determine the source. With the help of Alley and David, the Omaha Fire Department is able to determine arson at a rate that is more than double the national average for cities the size of Omaha, according to the FBI.
David is part of an elite group, as Omaha Fire Investigators serve as both Omaha firefighters and sworn Omaha Police Officers. Because David is both a firefighter and police officer the St. Florian and St. Michael challenge coin is a very unique collectible which his family could not pass up. David has a challenge coin collection and this coin is a great addition to his collection because one side represents each group. David really likes the coin stating they are beautifully designed and made.
David is excited to be a part of this distinguished society. Not only is the coin a great addition to his challenge coin collection, but he is happy to support the group that supports him. The First Responders are proud to use the proceeds from fundraisers like this to support first responders, like David and Alley.
We thank David and Alley for their dedicated service to the city of Omaha and for making a difference in fire services. Again, congratulations David!
Nominate your hero to receive this outstanding recognition. Nominees receive a Personalized Certificate and a two-sided Saint Florian and Saint Michael Challenge Coin in a showcase box. Click here to learn more.
Honoring Jen Wolsleben, Firefighter Cedar Bluffs Fire and Rescue
Today, Aug. 1,2020 we honor Jen Wolsleben, Firefighter / NREMT-B, Cedar Bluffs Fire and Rescue Department, our most recent inductee into the National Society of Saint Florian and Saint Michael and the recipient of the Challenge Coin.
Jen is a true hero and a life saver. Several years ago, Jen was called to a remote location on the Platte River. Jen arrived to find a preteen boy had suffered a life-threading arm injury in an ATV rollover accident, and had an open humerus fracture and had torn his brachial artery. Jen was able to apply a make-shift tourniquet, using her blood pressure cuff to stop the bleeding in his arm, and save his life. A few years later Jen was the first on the scene of a severe ATV crash where a person was ejected head first, hitting a cedar tree and suffering massive facial injuries. He was found face down and not breathing. Jen instructed her fellow first responders, law enforcement, to help roll the man over, where Jen placed an airway and began bagging him with a Bag Valve Mask. He was flown from the scene, surviving to make a full recovery.
Jen is a leader and has been EMT of the Year three times.
Jen is a leader on critical calls and not only does she display a calming, commanding presence, she guides bystanders and encourages her fellow first responders. Jen also shines in the classroom as a Rescue Training Officer. Jen facilitates teamwork amongst all members of the fire department.
Three times Jen has been awarded the Department EMT of the Year; 2003, 2015, and 2018.
We thank Jodi Teal for nominating Jen Wolsleben. Special thanks Jen, for your dedication and life saving service!
Nominate your hero to receive this outstanding recognition. Nominees receive a Personalized Certificate and a two-sided Saint Florian and Saint Michael Challenge Coin in a showcase box. Click here to learn more https://firstrespondersfoundation.org/nominate-a-first-responder/
Honoring Lt. Robert Jones of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Today we honor Lt. Robert Jones of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as our most recent inductee of the National Society of Saint Florian and Saint Michael and the recipient of the Challenge Coin.
Lt. Jones is described as compassionate, understanding, patient and a source of strength.
Lt. Jones has been serving the community through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office since 1998. He has been and continues to be instrumental in several programs at the Sheriff’s Office. Lt. Jones helped establish the Chaplaincy Program and remains the Sheriff’s liaison providing yearly regional training for other law enforcement chaplains. He also helped establish and continues to lead the Rapid Deployment Team, which was critical in providing safety to our community during the 2020 protests. Lt. Jones currently leads the Hostage Negotiation Team for the Sheriff’s Office. He is a recipient of the Medal of Honor in recognition for his actions in the 2007 Von Maur Shooting at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, NE. Colleagues describe Lt. Jones’ leadership and service as compassionate, understanding, patient and a source of strength.
We thank Jason Workman for nominating Lt. Rob Jones. Special thanks Lt. Jones for your dedication and life saving service!
Nominate your hero to receive this outstanding recognition and induction into the National Society of St. Florian and St. Michael.
Nominees receive a Personalized Certificate and a two-sided Saint Florian and Saint Michael Challenge Coin in a showcase box. For more information click here.