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Officer of the Year Awards Press Release

The Omaha Police Foundation (OPF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2020 and, as a part of the commemoration, is proud to introduce a new logo. The refreshed logo design was inspired by the badge worn by the sworn officers of the Omaha Police Department and features a starburst image and a bison in the center.

Founded in 1999, the Foundation provides financial support for the Omaha Police Department (OPD) to ensure that officers have the training, equipment, and technology needed to prevent crime, save lives, and make Omaha a safer community. The Foundation is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors, led by President D.C. Woody Bradford. The Chief of Police and the President of the Omaha Police Officers Association each serve as ex-officio members of the Board.

Twenty years ago, then Omaha Police Chief Don Carey brought together a group of young business people to talk about the possibility of forming a police foundation in Omaha,” said Bradford. “He asked us to visit every unit within the Department so that we could advocate for the needs of the Omaha Police and help OPD become the best public safety organization in Nebraska. The OPF received a tremendous reception from the very beginning and has continued to grow through the years, benefitting from the leadership of each of the Chiefs of Police that have followed and the generous giving of the Omaha community.”

“The Omaha Police Foundation has been instrumental in advancing the Omaha Police Department during my seven-plus years as Chief,” said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer. “Specifically, body worn cameras are now worn by all uniformed officers and a state-of-the-art mobile command center is now being used at major events/scenes – all thanks to the Omaha Police Foundation. It has been a highlight of my career to work with the accomplished members of the Omaha Police Foundation Board!”

A memorial sculpture honoring the life of fallen OPD K9 Kobus, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2016, was unveiled in December 2017. The bronze statue was created by artist David Biehl, from Elkhorn, NE, and installed at the Omaha Police Department’s Gary and Mary West Regional Canine Training Facility. Carson Stone and Supply, also of Elkhorn, donated and placed a limestone base for the installation of Kobus. The sculpture was commissioned by the Omaha Police Foundation and funded by an anonymous donor.