Matt Escheid, Nebraska State Patrol officer, spoke to our club on July 3. He told us of graduating from Elgin Pope John High School in 1995, Wayne State College in 1999, and immediately joining Nebraska Highway Patrol (NHP). He attended training camp, training on the job in the Fremont area and was assigned to the South Sioux City area where he worked until being reassigned to Wayne (his 4th choice because Columbus, Fremont and O'Neill were his first three) but he said he has never regretted living here. He has been active in the community with helping with younger children sports and has been on the city council for six years.
He is currently one of 63 state NHP officers, works Sunday through Thursday beginning at 6 AM. Because of his seniority he has evenings and weekends off unless there is an emergency such as a flood, tornado, search and rescue event, or a serious problem requiring more NHP officers than those on duty. He wears 25 lbs. of equipment and a protective vest, is required to go to the range three times a year to practice with his pistol and rifle, has frequent schooling on new equipment, continuing education, and radar certification. He can travel as he sees fit in the four counties he is responsible for or go to others if need be. He said it is confusing to work in tribal areas because there are many local rules that differ from those of Nebraska. Like in any job, Matt says there are parts of the job that are not to his liking, but there are more good days than bad.
