News Headlines

Graduation for 26 Omaha Police Officers

26 men and women received their badges from the Omaha Police Department Thursday night.

Reporter: Brian Mastre

26 men and women received their badges from the Omaha Police Department Thursday night.

After 24 weeks of intense training, these men and women are now officially police officers as Chief Todd Schmaderer greeted each one and posed for pictures at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

In the crowd of graduates, we noticed Officer Adam Heidesch and Officer Ashley Warman -- his wife. It's rare for a married couple to go through the same recruit class.

"I've been reading law books and mystery books since I was a little kid," said Officer Leighanne Loges, who is fulfilling a dream. "I've wanted to be an officer since I was 12. It meant a lot to go through the process and walk across the stage and get my badge."

Officer Sergio Gutierrez III, who went to school for criminal justice, echoed that. "My mother was engaged to a Douglas County Sheriff and you would see the way people would respond to him and how he would respond in stressful situations. It's something I've emulated for a long time."

The January class of 2013 includes six fire department arson investigators who also went through the academy.

The 26 officers will now be paired with current officers for 15 weeks of training on the streets.