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Murdered On Duty, 124 Cardinal Court, South Sioux City, NE (2025)

07/09/2024

Part IV
At Point-Blank Range: The Vernon Rolf’s Story

Paroled

In January 1974, the State Board of Pardons took up the matter of parole in the case of James LeRoy Fish. No witnesses appeared to support the commutation of the life sentence; however, several witnesses appeared in opposition.

State Patrol Col. C. P. Karthauser appeared and asked the board, in respect for law enforcement officers and the Rolfs' family, not to commute Fish's life sentence. Karthauser also stated, "Every day I read reports of officers killed across this country and these things alarm me a great deal. If respect for law enforcement is lost, then all is lost."

Vernon Rolfs's son, Melvin Rolfs, appeared and asked whether rehabilitation programs worked. Melvin Rolfs replied, "In some categories (of crimes), yes, but in the category of cold-blooded murder, I do not."

His sister, Mrs. Gordon (Karen) Vie, also appeared at the hearing. She agreed with her brother's testimony and strongly urged the board not to consider commution.

Governor J. J. Exon stated that in the structure of today's society when someone shoots a police officer, they are killing society's first line of defense. Gov. Exon also supported more severe penalties for killing police officers than for other murders. He voted against commutation.

Secretary of State Allen Beermann introduced the motion to commute. Attorney General Clarence Meyer and Beerman voted for commutation. Meyer stated that life was a life and the possibility of being killed in the line of duty was "something every officer faces."

The split decision commuted Fish's life sentence and made him eligible for parole after serving twenty-five years of his sentence. It was decided that Fish should serve longer than other murderers as a deterrent to others who might harm peace officers. Fish would be eligible for parole in 1978.

In August 1976, Fish approached the Pardons Board and asked that his sentence be further reduced to be considered for parole before July 1978. On a motion by Attorney General Paul Douglas, the board voted unanimously to deny further commutation.

In September 1978, Fish's parole was denied; however, in August 1979, the Parole Board voted to allow Fish to go on a six-month work release program in Lincoln. The vote to allow Fish to participate in the work release program came after motions to parole him and to defer his parole for ninety days, each failed to pass.

Fish told the board that he had recognized Christ as his savior and added, "I'm sorry for what happened in 1953. I've been sorry for 26 and a half years, and I don't know how much sorrier I can be."

State Patrol Col. Elmer Kohmetscher appeared at the hearing. The Superintendent testified in opposition to Fish's parole bid.

On February 20, 1980, after 27 years of incarceration, James LeRoy Fish was paroled by a 3-1 vote of the State Board of Parole. Parole Board Chairman John Greenholtz, Eugene Neal, and Wayne Schreurs voted to grant Fish his freedom. Board member Linda Jaeckel voted in opposition and Doris Collins abstained.
Fish later said he had no strong feelings against the State Patrol for opposing his parole bid. He also stated that his troubles during his life were caused by booze. Fish promised that he wouldn't allow booze to interfere with his life again.

Under the conditions of his parole, Fish would go to California and would not be allowed to return to Nebraska without permission. He was also told that he would be under parole supervision for a minimum of ten years and could be returned to Lincoln for any parole violation.

Back In Trouble Again

It didn't take very long for Fish to run into trouble. In August 1981, Fish was charged with a violation of the California criminal code dealing with s*x crimes. Fish was charged with a 288A(C) violation. According to information received by the author, the violation involved oral copulation of a child under the age of fourteen years. The child is believed to have been a thirteen-year-old female victim.

On October 27, 1981, James LeRoy Fish was sentenced in Sacramento County Superior Court to eight years in prison. On November 6, 1981, Fish was transferred to the Northern Reception Center at the California Medical Facility at Vacaville and received credit for the 154 days he had already spent in jail.

On December 24, 1981, James LeRoy Fish was transferred to the California Men's Colony at San Luis Obispo and became inmate in the California Department of Corrections. He would spend the next four years in sunny California behind bars.

Back Home...to the Nebraska Penitentiary

After receiving word that Fish violated his California parole, Nebraska Parole Board Chairman John Greenholtz announced that a detainer would be placed on Fish. The convicted cop killer and now child molester would have to return to Nebraska and serve out his sentence.

On November 26, 1985, Nebraska authorities picked up Fish and returned to Nebraska. The following day, he was paroled to Nebraska. On December 27, 1986, Fish was technically discharged from the California Department of Corrections. It didn't matter. Fish would be incarcerated for the rest of his natural life.

In Custody Death and The Grand Jury Verdict

James LeRoy Fish was fifty-nine years old when authorities returned him to Nebraska. Fish's health had been deteriorating. He was hospitalized within the prison and diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Fish's health continued to decline, and on January 28, 1989, he died of pneumonia. Under state law, a grand jury was called since he died in custody.

Within a short time of Fish's death, two inmates sent a letter to KMTV in Omaha. The letter to the television station outlined allegations of mistreatment at the prison hospital. The letter also accused hospital personnel of contributing to Fish's death and alleged that he had been found lying in human waste and had not been dressed warmly when taken outside.

In the end, a Lancaster County grand jury ruled that Fish's death was a result of natural causes. After reviewing the evidence, the grand jury concluded that Fish had died from pneumonia-related to Parkinson's disease.

Reflecting

While working on this story, the author received help from several individuals. These included Vernon Rolfs's family members and relatives, current and past law enforcement officers, and others who helped supply information about the tragic events surrounding Trooper Vernon Rolfs' death. I offer my sincerest thanks to the individuals who helped me with this story.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Vernon Rolfs' daughter, Mrs. Karen Vie for furnishing some of the pictures used in the story.

I would like especially to thank Jack Sexton for taking the time to tell me about the night he helped investigate the death of his friend and partner. Jack, I know Vern would be proud of you.

Vernon Rolfs was the first state patrolman to be shot and killed in the line of duty in Nebraska. Tragically, he would not be the last.

04/07/2024

The Gunbelt - Part II

The Manhunt
Word of Hansen’s death spread rapidly throughout the state, and one of the largest manhunts in Nebraska history was formed to track down Lloyd Grandsinger.

Law officers from across the state converged on the Valentine area. At one point, it was estimated that over 400 police and civilian volunteers were involved in the search. The following day, Friday, April 9, Lloyd Grandsinger was taken into custody.

At about 3:30 P.M., the suspected murderer was discovered hiding in the Niobrara River about seven miles southeast of Sparks, Nebraska. Scratched and bruised from his night on the run, Lloyd Grandsinger was unarmed when captured. The murder weapon has never been found. Grandsinger was immediately taken to the Cherry County Courthouse, where he was questioned about the shooting.

State Patrol Captain Harold Smith coordinated this portion of the investigation. State Patrol Lieutenant Leo Knundtson of Scottsbluff had known Marvin Hansen and came to Valentine to help with the investigation. Knundtson spent several hours questioning Grandsinger and obtained a statement from the murder suspect.

In his statement, Lloyd Grandsinger admitted having concealed a .22 caliber pistol but could not recall whether he fired it at Hansen. Part of the questions asked and answered included:

“Did you shoot the gun at an officer last night?”

“No.”

“Are you sure you didn’t?”

“I shot when I fell over the bank and then heard a lot of shots. I just kept on running.”

“But your gun did go off when you fell over the bank?”

“Yes, I guess so…I don’t know…I just left it.”

“Did you see the patrolman go down?”

“No.”

“When did you first find out you had shot the officer?”

“Not until they caught me.”

On Monday, April 12, Cherry County Attorney William B. Quigley filed charges against the two brothers. Both were charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Patrolman Marvin Hansen.

Both pleaded not guilty and waived a preliminary hearing.

While the pair made their first court appearance, funeral services were held at Watts Funeral Home in Valentine for State Patrolman Marvin Hansen.

An honor guard and over forty uniformed patrolmen were present for the services. Full military rites were accorded the slain officer and he was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

The Wooden Dowel

On Wednesday, June 2, 1954, jury selection began in the trial of Lloyd Grandsinger. Rush Clark of North Platte helped County Attorney Quigley. The defense attorneys were William C. Heelan of Valentine and Charles Fisher of Chadron. District Judge E. L. Meyer of Alliance presided over the case. It had been decided to try the brothers separately.

During the trial, the prosecution called Sheriff Freeman and other witnesses who testified to the events leading up to the shooting of Patrolman Hansen and the capture and interrogation of Lloyd Grandsinger made to Lieutenant Knundtson. The state also introduced the statements Grandsinger made to Lieutenant Knundtson. In his statements to Knundtson, Grandsinger admitted he had a handgun but could not remember what happened to it. The gun belt worn by Hansen was introduced into evidence.

The gun belt played a much more critical role in the case than anyone dreamed. Lieutenant Wayne Byler, the Patrol’s firearm identification expert, testified that he had concluded that the bullet that killed Hansen was fired from a .22 caliber weapon.

When Lloyd Grandsinger took the stand in his defense, he denied killing Hansen. He denied firing a gun the night Patrolman Hansen was shot. The accused murderer said he “was completely shocked” to learn that the patrolman had been killed. Grandsinger testified that he fled because Hansen had fired into the sand at his feet.

On Tuesday morning, June 15, before the jury entered the courthouse, a dramatic incident occurred that changed forever the outcome of justice in the Lloyd Grandsinger case.

As County Attorney Quigley watched, Defense Attorney Charles Fisher forced a wooden dowel through the hole caused by the fatal bullet in Hansen’s gun belt. Quigley and Sheriff Freeman immediately seized Fisher. A conference was held in Judge Meyer’s chambers and when the jury returned to the courtroom a statement was read to them. In his statement, Fisher agreed that the bullet hole in the belt had been enlarged.

Later that afternoon, the jury heard closing arguments and deliberations began at 4:30 P.M. At 8:45 A.M. on June 16, 1954, the jury returned a verdict of “guilty of murder in the first degree.” Judge Meyer pronounced the death sentence at 2:00 P.M. and an ex*****on date was set for October 15, 1954. It would never be carried out.

The Appeal

On July 16, 1954, Grandsinger’s ex*****on was stayed pending the results of an appeal that had been filed for him. This was the first of several stays of ex*****on for Lloyd Grandsinger. Transferred to the State Pen in Lincoln, Grandsinger would spend the next several years on Nebraska’s Death Row.

On December 7, 1954, Leon Grandsinger began serving a ten-year sentence at the State Penitentiary for his part in the murder of Marvin Hansen. Sentenced by District Judge D. Mount of O’Neill, Leon Grandsinger had pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

For the next three years, the state set ex*****on dates and preparations were made repeatedly to carry out the sentence of the Cherry County Court, in the case against Lloyd Grandsinger. Each time, appeals were filed and a stay of ex*****on was issued for the thief and suspected cop-killer.

The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the conviction in February 1956. Grandsinger appealed this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. On Thursday, June 27, 1957, Federal District Court Judge John W. Delehant upheld the habeas corpus petition and declared the first degree murder conviction and death sentence “void.”

The ruling directed the state to either free Grandsinger or to begin proceedings for another trial. The 63-page opinion upheld Grandsinger’s petition and agreed that he had been denied “effective counsel.”

In overturning the conviction, Judge Delehant focused attention on the June 15, 1954, incident involving Defense Attorney Charles Fisher. Delehant ruled, “it (Fisher’s action which enlarged the bullet hole in the belt) was a furtive, dishonest, unprofessional act, inevitably designed to distort a critical bit of evidence. To the supposed advantage of his (Fisher’s) client and to the confusion of the prosecution.”

By doing this, Judge Delehant said Fisher had all but destroyed his effectiveness as Grandsinger’s defense attorney. The judge added that Fisher’s actions suggested to the jury that it was necessary for Grandsinger’s situation.

Regarding the alleged post arrest abuse of Grandsinger by Sheriff Freeman, the Federal jurist concluded that Grandsinger “has not convincingly established any mistreatment to him by the Sheriff.”

Grandsinger’s petition also failed to prove that he had been coerced or forced to make statements regarding the shooting of Patrolman Hansen. Even though the state appealed the Grandsinger’s “effective counsel” decision, Judge Delehant’s ruling virtually ended the battle for Grandsinger’s ex*****on. The ruling set in motion plans for a second and final trial.

The Second Murder Trial

After the ruling by Federal Judge Delehant in June 1957, almost a year and a half would pass before the start of the second trial. District Judge Robert D. Flory of Columbus was named to preside over the trial and granted Grandsinger’s request for court appointed attorneys and a change of venue.

The trial was moved to the Sheridan County Courthouse in Rushville, and attorneys John Powers and James Lane, both of Ogallala, were selected to represent Lloyd Grandsinger.

Jury selection began on Monday, November 17, 1957 just as the first snowstorm of the season tapered off. Cherry County Attorney Dean Donoho along with former Douglas County Defense Attorney Tom Kelley of Omaha assisting as special prosecutor handled the prosecution’s case.

Two defense motions for dismissal, one based on double jeopardy and the other based on the premise that the trial had not been started within a time limit set by a Federal Court, were both overruled by Judge Flory.

03/21/2024

“The Gun Belt”
by
Joe Yocum

Part I: The Verdict

The jury deliberated for about seven hours, and everyone in the courtroom was anxious to hear the verdict. It was almost 9:00 p.m., but there were still almost thirty spectators in the Sheridan County Courthouse. They were waiting for the trial's outcome, which had started ten days earlier on Monday, November 17, 1958.

Word had been received that the jury had reached a verdict. The defendant, Lloyd C. Grandsinger, watched nervously as the jury returned from their deliberations. He held his breath as Foreman Jay Springman read the verdict. Grandsinger and his parents broke down and cried on hearing the jury’s decision.

The verdict, innocent of the April 8, 1954, shooting death of Nebraska State Patrolman Marvin L. Hansen, came as a shock to others in the courtroom as well.

The decision of the jury was a complete reversal of the verdict reached at 8:45 a.m. on June 16, 1954, by a Cherry County jury in the first trial. Found guilty of first-degree murder on that date, Grandsinger had been sentenced to die in the Nebraska electric chair.

Lloyd Grandsinger would walk out of the courthouse a free man on November 26, 1958, four and a half years after being taken into custody. His arrest, in connection with the shooting death of Patrolman Hansen, followed a sixteen-hour search of the Niobrara River canyons by a posse of police and civilian volunteers.

But this is not a story about an individual who escaped the death penalty. This is the story of an exemplary law enforcement officer. This is a look at the life and tragic death of Marvin L. Hansen.

The Early Years

Marvin L. Hansen, son of Harry and Bertha Hansen, was born on April 9, 1925, in Lincoln, NE. He attended Beatrice High School but later graduated from Vesta High School in 1942. Entering the U.S. Army, Hansen served as a mechanic in the Aleutian Islands until his discharge in May 1947.

After returning home, Hansen applied to become a member of the Nebraska State Patrol and on October 15, 1947, he completed training and became State Patrolman Marvin L. Hansen, Badge #98.

Assigned to Ainsworth directly out of patrol camp, Hansen’s first partner and teacher was Patrol Sergeant Ray Shorney. The two lawmen became close friends. Years later, Shorney was one of the first officers to help in the search for Lloyd Grandsinger.

After working with Sergeant Shorney for several months, Patrolman Hansen was assigned to Valentine in 1948. Marvin Hansen loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing in the Niobrara River. This picturesque area of Nebraska became Hansen’s home for the next seven years. Hansen was introduced to Miss Lorraine Smith on a visit to the Cherry County Courthouse, where she worked.

They began dating, and on September 20, 1949, they were joined in marriage. The couple was often seen in the company of their friends, Mr. And Mrs. William Freeman. Freeman, the Cherry County Sheriff, worked closely with Patrolman Hansen on many cases and characters they ran across during their work.

People in the Valentine area did not take long to recognize that Patrolman Hansen was a dedicated and sincere law enforcement officer. Everyone familiar with Marvin Hansen knew that what he said was how it was. Many of the merchants and residents of Valentine liked Hansen and thought of him as a friend and a professional lawman. At the time of his death, hundreds of people from the Valentine area joined in the search for the man wanted in connection with his death.

The Tip

On the day of his death, Patrolman Hansen went to Lincoln to have a new police radio installed in his patrol car. Upon returning home, he received a phone call from Bill Freeman. The sheriff had received a tip that two brothers named Grandsinger were taking a stolen car into the Sandhills near Valentine.

According to Freeman's information, the brothers planned to strip the stolen car of parts to sell later. The Grandsingers had also burglarized the Post Office and a Wewela, South Dakota store.

Patrolman Hansen, Sheriff Freeman, and Valentine Chief of Police L. Regler made plans to watch for and trap the Grandsinger brothers on State Highway #7, north of the Berry Bridge, found about 15 miles northeast of Valentine. Travelers to this area along the Niobrara River still frequently use Berry Bridge.

At about 9:30 p.m. on that fateful night, Hansen and Freeman positioned themselves in the Sheriff’s patrol car in a farm lane beyond the top of North Berry Hill. Police Chief Regler, Officer George Jackson, and Valentine Mayor Robert Hamilton were situated about a mile away at a roadblock on the south side of the Berry Hill Bridge. As the officers sat in their patrol cars, they discussed how they planned to intercept and stop the suspected thieves.

At about 10:30 p.m., the tip paid off when the lawmen spotted two cars heading south toward Berry Bridge and the police roadblock. The Grandsingers were in separate cars. Lloyd Grandsinger’s older brother, Leon, was driving the stolen car, which was being used to pull their car. The two brothers did not see the patrol car until the officers slid quietly in behind them and turned on the red lights.

Pulling out of the farm lane, the officers suddenly realized they would have to try to stop the suspects before reaching the roadblock at the bridge. Hansen and Freeman feared the brothers would see the police roadblock and flee on foot into the rugged countryside.

The lawmen agreed to stop the Grandsingers on a flat stretch of road just beyond the top of North Berry Hill.

As the suspects began to pull over the flashing police lights on the patrol car, Sheriff Freeman drove alongside the towed car. Stopping with the front of his car, almost even with the driver’s door of the second car.

As Freeman stepped out of his car, he ordered Leon Grandsinger to leave the car with his hands in the air. The wind was blowing, and Freeman called again for the senior Grandsinger brother to get out of the lead car.

Stepping out of the patrol car, Patrolman Hansen went around the rear of the second car to watch the other suspect. Lloyd Grandsinger slid across the front seat of the second car and got out on the passenger’s side.

As he got out, Lloyd Grandsinger turned and saw Hansen approaching the car's rear. Seeing the patrolman, he bolted and ran into the field beside the road. Giving chase, Hansen called for the fleeing suspect to halt.

Sheriff Freeman approached him after Leon Grandsinger got out of the lead car. Suddenly, shots rang out in the darkness from behind and to the right of the Sheriff. Freeman could not see where Hansen had gone but felt his partner and friend needed him.

Quickly handcuffing Leon Grandsinger to the doorpost of the stolen car, Freeman returned to his patrol car and called for help from the other officers stationed at the bridge. Freeman then set out in the direction from which he heard the shots.

Chief Regler and the others drove to where the cars were stopped, and one of the men stood guard over Leon Grandsinger, whom they found handcuffed to the stolen car. Sheriff Freeman told the officers what had happened, and they began searching the field.

Chief Regler discovered patrolman Hansen’s body about 200 yards from the road. When discovered, the officer determined that Hansen had been shot once in the abdomen. The bullet had passed through his gun belt on the holster side and caused internal bleeding. The mortally wounded officer was placed in Sheriff Freeman’s patrol car and rushed to the Valentine Hospital. Patrolman Hansen was pronounced dead on arrival.

03/15/2024

The final installment of Premonitions: The George Amos, Jr. Story. Authors Note: The section "Whatever Happened To? was written around 1992-93, and many of the individuals mentioned may not be alive or may have moved from where they were living when I wrote this story.

PREMONITIONS
The George Amos, Jr. Story
by
Joseph O. Yocum

Part IV of IV: Plea Bargain

One of the first defense motions filed on behalf of the Andersens asked the court to rule on the penalty that would be applicable should the couple be found guilty of first-degree murder. The motion argued that the death penalty should not be imposed in the case should a jury return a guilty verdict against the defendants.

District Judge Hughes agreed and ruled that "the defendants have a right to know the applicable penalty and thereupon orders that the maximum penalty for the crime charged in the information is life imprisonment and further orders that the death penalty will not be considered or imposed.

After their capture, the media recorded the Andersen's arrest and reported the details made available by authorities. On Friday, June 22, 1973, attorneys representing the Andersens filed several motions in the case against them. Judge Stuart had appointed Cozad Attorney Claude Berreckman to represent Teresa Andersen. Defense Attorney E. A. Cook continued to represent Jimmie Andersen.

The defense attorneys petitioned the court for a change of venue arguing that media coverage of the couple had spoiled their chance for a fair trial. Judge Stuart denied the motion and ruled "the evidence adduced fails to show that a fair and impartial trial cannot be had in Dawson County.

On Monday, July 2, 1973, Defense Attorney Cook filed a motion for a separate trial in the case against Jimmie Andersen. On Friday, July, 6 1973, Defense Attorney Berreckman filed a motion to sever the consolidated cases against the Andersens and requested a separate trial for Teresa. When the motions were heard by Judge Stuart, the jurist ruled that "no evidence has been introduced in support of the Motions and that no showing of probable prejudice to either Defendant has been made.

At the conclusion of preliminary motions in the case, Jimmie and Teresa Andersen were arraigned and each entered "Not Guilty" pleas to the murder charges filed against them. The cases were set for trial at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 1973, and the pair were returned to their cells in the Dawson County Jail.

In preparation for the case, County Attorney Weinhold and Special Prosecutor Bernard B. Smith sorted through all the statements of witnesses as well as the immense amount of evidence collected by patrol investigators. They planned to introduce the statements the two suspects had made after being apprehended as well as the confessions obtained while they were in jail. The prosecutors also planned to introduce a damning piece of evidence. The test results from the hand swabbings indicated that Jimmie Andersen had fired the shot that killed George Amos, Jr.

Then on Thursday, July 26, 1973, an unexpected development was announced by the defense. Defense attorneys agreed to a special hearing and made the surprise announcement. Jimmie Andersen would change his plea to guilty of first-degree murder, and Teresa would agree to plead guilty to an amended charge of manslaughter! Jimmie Andersen was taken before District Judge Stuart and formally announced that he wanted to plead guilty.

When asked by Judge Stuart if he had killed Amos, Jimmie Andersen stated: Well, your honor, I was under the influence of alcohol and became enraged because I was being arrested. There was a struggle and it ended in the death of a highway patrolman, for which I am indeed very sorry. Yes, I am guilty of the effort--I killed George Amos. As I review the situation in my own mind, I can see that by my admission I am guilty of the crime I am charged with and that I possibly did premeditate the murder as an effort to become free from being arrested.

Judge Stuart sentenced Jimmie Andersen to life imprisonment in the Nebraska Penal Complex and ordered that Teresa Andersen be taken to the Women's Reformatory at York for a pre-sentence investigation. Shortly after noon, the prisoners were transferred to their respective destinations by Sheriff Rohnert.

After reviewing the results of the evaluation, Judge Stuart ordered Teresa Andersen to return to Lexington for sentencing. On October 26, 1973, Judge Stuart sentenced her to the Division of Corrections at York for a period of not less than three years and not more than nine years at hard labor, Sundays and holidays excepted. Stuart ordered that she receive no credit for time served prior to July 26, 1973.

Teresa Andersen returned to York to begin her sentence. It would be several years before she would be paroled. Jimmie Andersen probably believed that by pleading guilty and showing some remorse, he stood a good chance of possibly getting paroled. Instead, he would be imprisoned for the rest of his life.

Whatever Happened To...

Dolores, Michael, and James lived in Lexington for seven years after George's murder. In June, 1980, Dolores married Larry Volk, a rancher and farmer from the Lexington area. After the wedding, the family moved to their new home near Darr. In 1987, they moved to a ranch near Stapleton, Nebraska.

Michael and James have grown up and are both married. Michael and his wife Susan were married in June 1993 and make their home in Lincoln. The two are the proud parents of a son born in August 1995 and are expecting an addition to the family in March, 1997.

James and his wife, Kenntha were married in September 1995 and live on their ranch in Stapleton.

In 1994 Dolores and her husband moved to their farm near Chambers, Nebraska. She is very proud of her sons and grateful to the State Patrol and to the troopers that helped her through the difficult times following George's death.

George Amos, Sr. and his wife Marilyn still live in Fremont. They reside in the same house where George, Jr. and his sister grew up. They are both retired and enjoy spending time with their daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Wayne Michealis left the Lexington assignment in December 1974 and transferred to McCook. There he was assigned to the Drug Division and worked as an investigator until August 1984. He resigned from the State Patrol and later became a Red Willow County Commissioner. Michealis served as County Commissioner for six years. He is currently self-employed and lives with his wife Wanda in McCook.

Earl Fawcett transferred to McCook in May 1973 and worked there until November 1981. Fawcett left the State Patrol for private business but returned to law enforcement in January 1984. Fawcett had moved to the Ft. Collins, Colorado, area in October 1983 but wanted to get back to police work. In January, 1984 Fawcett began working for the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. In June 1987 the Sheriff assigned Fawcett as a contract deputy in the city of Wellington. Fawcett was named County Employee of the Year and still works in Wellington. Fawcett is also a hostage negotiator team leader with the Larimer County SWAT team.

In January 1975 Stan Rasmussen transferred to the Criminal Division in North Platte as an investigator. Except for a three year period as a DARE instructor, Rasmussen has continued to work as an investigator in the North Platte office. He is currently assigned as the Troop D Field intelligence representative and is also a polygraph examiner.

Tom Tamke left Gothenburg in February 1974 to work for the Fremont Police Department as a patrolman. In January 1980 Tamke was promoted to detective. He held that position until January 1987 when he took the position of chief deputy with the Dodge County Sheriff's Office. Tamke attended the 155th session of the FBI National Academy. Tamke and his wife Trudy live in Fremont with their three children. He enjoys flying and is a soccer coach.

Dan Reece stayed in North Platte until 1984. Promoted to lieutenant, Reece was transferred to Scottsbluff and was assigned to the Criminal Division as a supervisor. He held that position until he retired in December 1993. He lives in Gering with his wife Gretchen and loves to camp whenever the two can get away. He works for the Gering Public Schools.

Don Greib retired from the State Patrol in December 1978 and worked as an investigator for the Lincoln County Attorney's Office for two years. He obtained his private investigator's license and worked as a private investigator and private polygraph examiner until 1986. He and his wife have finally retired and live in North Platte. They spend much of their time with their children and grandchildren. Don says that he gets away sometimes to do some hunting and fishing now that he's not so busy.

During the research into this story, the author became interested in locating the service revolver used in George Amos' murder and began a long and arduous search for it.

The Smith & Wasson .357 Highway Patrolman revolver, serial number S247 007 was returned to the State Patrol in March 1979. In July 1979 the weapon, along with several other revolvers, became part of a trade-in for new revolvers with Law Enforcement Equipment Company in Kansas City, Missouri. Law Enforcement Equipment Company sold the revolver on July 13, 1979, to J. & G. Sales in Prescott, Arizona. J. & G. Sales sold the gun to Kerley's Hunting and Fishing in Cupertino, California, on February 25, 1980.

At this point, the author reached a major obstacle in the search for the murder weapon. After contacting the owner at Kerley's Hunting and Fishing, it was learned that the revolver had been sold to a California resident. The owner promised to look up the transaction but never called back.

In September 1995 the author contacted Mr. George Hisimoto, supervisor of the Automated Fi****ms System for the State of California. He agreed to help the author locate the gun. On October 3, 1995, a letter of inquiry was sent to the person who had purchased the revolver from Kerley's Hunting and Fishing. That person sent a copy of the letter to the individual to whom he had sold the gun. That person turned out to be Mr. Robbie Robertson.

Mr. Robertson called the author and arrangements were made to meet in Lexington in November 1995. Mr. Robertson traveled from Salinas, California, and brought the revolver that had been used in George's murder. He gave the author the gun and the following quote: Those who have known the face of death, in defense of others or ideals, have a knowledge of life, the sheltered never know. Thus: the soldier, lawman, fireman, civilian volunteer, even the enemy soldier, share a bond, a secret love, that only they can understand. In that spirit I bring this: The Fallen Warrior's Weapon, as a building block to his Memorial.

Also in November 1995 Earl Fawcett sent to the author the custom grips that he had given George to use prior to his death. The grips had been returned to Fawcett after the trial, and he had kept them in memory of his partner and friend. The revolver and custom grips will be added to the collection of historic artifacts that the author hopes will someday be part of a Nebraska Law Enforcement Museum.

As for Jimmie Anderson, his life sentence ended on Wednesday, April 24, 1991. Anderson, who turned 51 years old in February, spent 18 years in the Nebraska prison system. He was transferred to the Omaha Correctional Center in December 1988. Anderson was a frequent runner and on that fateful day he began jogging with another inmate on the center grounds in Omaha at about 1 p.m. As the two men were jogging, Anderson suddenly collapsed. Anderson was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Teresa Anderson served less than three and a half years for her part in George Amos's murder. She was paroled from the Women's Reformatory on March 8, 1977. Ironically, she was discharged from parole on April 20, 1979, six years to the day of George's murder.

The author has searched for any clue as to her present location with little success. She went to Ohio and apparently was arrested in 1981 for a driving while intoxicated charge. No other trace can be found of her whereabouts. She's probably still out there.

Many of George's premonitions turned out to be strangely close to the situations he and his fellow troopers faced. The discussion he had with Dolores before going on duty on the day he was killed still sends chills through those who were aware of what happened.

After researching such a tragic story, this author knows that one of George's predictions will stay with him for a long time. Dolores and at least one of his partners recalled how George always said that since he was able to survive in Vietnam, nobody would get him in Nebraska.

George was right. Even though Jimmie and Teresa Anderson shot and killed him, George is still with those who knew and loved him. The Anderson’s didn’t get him because he still lives in the hearts and memories of his family and friends. God Bless you, George.

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