Officer of the Year Awards
Join the Omaha Police Foundation as we honor the bravery and dedication of the men and women of the Omaha Police Department.
The 25th annual Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon will take place on Thursday, May 8th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine Street, Omaha, 68106. This year, the Foundation is proud to have Cindy and Scott Heider and The Heider Foundation serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 2025 Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon.
The OPF will honor dozens of officers for their outstanding work in our community with awards including the Medal of Valor, Police Blue Shield Medal, Lifesaving Medal and Distinguished Service Medal. The 2024 Officer of the Year will be selected from among the honorees and one exceptional unit from within the Omaha Police Department will be recognized with the McGowan Community Impact Award named for one of the OPF’s founding members and dedicated community advocate Thomas F. McGowan. In addition, one high school senior and one full-time undergraduate student who are the children or grandchildren of a current or former sworn officer will be presented with the annual Dr. Jack K. Lewis Memorial Scholarship.
Tickets for the 2025 Luncheon are available for $100 each, a table of 10 for $1,000 or a Patron Table of 10 for $1,750. The OPF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, and a portion of the ticket cost will be tax deductible under the guidelines of the IRS.
2023 Officers of the Year
Officer Nicholas Lanning – 2023 Officer of the Year
Officer Joshua Moore – 2023 Officer of the Year
On January 30, 2023, Officer Nicholas Lanning and Officer Joshua Moore responded to a report of a Burglary in Progress at the Dino’s Storage location at 53rd and Center. They located the suspect inside the building and attempted to take him into custody. The suspect resisted and fired a gun at the officers. Both officers were struck by gunfire. Officer Moore struggled with the suspect while Officer Lanning returned fire, incapacitating the suspect. While waiting for backup to arrive, the officers administered first aid to themselves and to the suspect, who suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Officer Lanning and Officer Moore exhibited extreme bravery and the utmost of professionalism in a dangerous situation. Because this line-of-duty encounter resulted in injuries to these officers, they are presented with BOTH the Purple Heart and the Department’s esteemed Medal of Valor.
2022 Officer of the Year – Officers Corey Buckley and William Klug
2021 Officer of the Year – Officer Brandon Fender
2020 Officer of the Year – Officers Robert Seitzer & Robert Soldo
2019 Officer of the Year – Officer Jason Messerschmidt
2018 Officer of the Year – Sergeant Brent Kendall
2017 Officer of the Year – Sergeant Stefan Davis
2016 Officer of the Year – Officer Robbie Goering-Jensen