A former Lancaster County Sheriff’s deputy has lost his final appeal challenging his dismissal from the department. The Nebraska Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the firing of Ryan Schmuecker, who was terminated after failing to arrest two people with outstanding warrants.
According to the court’s opinion, Schmuecker’s own statements showed he knew the warrants required arrests but chose not to take the individuals into custody. Court records show Schmuecker sued Lancaster County and Sheriff Terry Wagner, arguing termination was too severe. But both the district court and the state’s highest court found the sheriff’s office acted properly and that the misconduct justified dismissal.
“The sergeant released both people without arresting either one, instead, instructing them to show up and pay their fines,” Sheriff Terry Wagner said at the time of the termination in 2024. Schmuecker was a 19-year veteran of the Lancaster County Sherriff’s Office and was placed on a 10-day suspension in the beginning of May 2024.
He appealed the decision, but was ultimately fired on May 10th.