In this solo episode of The 902 Podcast, Captain John Vik takes listeners inside the LSO for an honest look at shift bids, work-life balance, and recruiting opportunities heading into the fall.

Captain Vik walks through how the current 10-hour shift schedule—with three consecutive days off for most patrol deputies—is performing, the real conversations deputies and their families are having about sustainability, and the practical details of the upcoming fall bid. He also covers the parallel selection process for off-duty contracts in the communities of Hickman, Hallam, Firth, Denton, and Bennet.

The episode also includes recruiting information for multiple open Deputy Sheriff positions and a civilian Technology Support Technician role focused on body-worn cameras, radios, and in-car/cruiser technology.

Episode Music Credits:

Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions, Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

50 years of service - from dispatcher to Lancaster County's longest serving sheriff. Join us as Sheriff Terry Wagner reflects on his 50-year journey in law enforcement, sharing stories, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Discover how leadership, technology, and community service have evolved over five decades.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of Sheriff Wagner's career

02:11 Early days in law enforcement and initial motivations

05:11 Transition from dispatcher to deputy and early challenges

10:01 Technological changes in law enforcement over the decades

19:57 Major community events and responses, including the Hallam tornado

28:02 Founding of the Child Advocacy Center and its impact

31:50 Challenges and lessons learned as sheriff

39:46 Leadership philosophy and legacy

42:51 Reflections on the future of Lancaster County law enforcement

43:46 Closing thoughts and appreciation

Music Credits:

Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Longtime Lincoln anchorman Rod Fowler has been on the air with KLKN-TV Channel 8 News for 30 years! Starting when Channel 8 went on the air in 1996, he has covered nearly all of Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner's career as sheriff. In this episode, Sheriff Wagner, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, Captain John Vik, and PIO Kelsey Cruz joined Rod to discuss how he's served Lancaster County and the surrounding areas over the past three decades. Get the story straight from Rod Fowler as he answers questions about everything from local law enforcement news to Ron Burgundy!

Sheriff Wagner provides a recap of his 2026 State of the Office Address. Each year, Sheriff Wagner addresses LSO staff to look back on the past year and discuss what lies ahead. In light of his announced retirement, this will be the Sheriff's final year in office and his final State of the Office address. This 902 Podcast episode brings that address directly to the public, with the Sheriff reflecting on 2025 and what's in store for the final year of his last term.

Ring in the new year safely with Episode 83 of The 902 Podcast, the official podcast of the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office!

Join Sheriff Terry Wagner, Captain John Vik, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, and Public Information Officer Kelsey Cruz for a timely discussion on staying safe as we welcome 2026.

In this episode:

The team breaks down the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over traffic safety initiative, highlighting increased patrols and important reminders to plan ahead for a sober ride during New Year's celebrations.

Things get fun with a lively New Year's trivia competition pitting Sheriff Wagner against Chief Deputy Houchin and PIO Kelsey Cruz—who will come out on top?

Sheriff Wagner shares personal reflections on his decades of service and his resolutions for his final year in office before retirement.

Whether you're planning your New Year's Eve or just want an inside look at LSO, this episode mixes serious safety tips with lighthearted moments and heartfelt insights.

Stay safe, Lancaster County. 🚔🎉

Episode Music Credits:

Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions, Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude - but how can gratitude impact public safety? In this episode, Captain John Vik interviews Sarah Draper, a former West Point graduate, military police officer, and supervisory FBI agent, who now focuses on helping others lead well. They discuss Sarah's journey from military service to the FBI, her transition into wellness coaching, and the importance of gratitude in enhancing mental health and resilience. Sarah shares practical tools for cultivating gratitude and emphasizes its benefits for individuals and communities, particularly in high-stress professions like law enforcement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sarah Draper

03:05 Sarah's Journey: From West Point to 9/11

05:50 Transitioning from Military to an FBI Career

08:53 The Importance of Collaboration in Law Enforcement

11:53 Teaching at Quantico: Giving Back to the Community

14:41 Leading Well Strategies: Focus on Wellness

18:01 Personal Journey Towards Wellness and Mindfulness

20:52 The Impact of Personal Wellness on Leadership

23:57 Creating a Culture of Openness in Law Enforcement

24:27 Exploring Leadership and Wellness in Public Safety

26:24 The Importance of Gratitude in Wellness

30:30 Scarcity vs. Abundance Mindset

32:58 The Science Behind Gratitude

37:59 Practical Tools for Gratitude Practice

45:10 The Ripple Effect of Gratitude in Communities

Episode Music Credits:

Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Mark Langan is a retired Omaha Police sergeant and current member of the Nebraska Board of Parole. He and four other board members are responsible for making parole decisions for inmates currently confined within the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. In this episode, Mark joined Capt. John Vik, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin, and Sheriff Terry Wagner to discuss the history of the Board, the parole process, and the important role it plays in public safety across Nebraska.

Episode Music Credits:

Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

"The evidence is trying to tell you a story..." Dr. Tim Huntington is a deputy with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. He also happens to be one of the fewer than twenty board-certified forensic entomologists in the U.S. and Canada. In this episode, Dep. Huntington sits down with John Vik, Ben Houchin, and Kelsey Cruz to break down the science behind insects and explore their relevance to criminal investigations. Listen in for a fascinating discussion on the stories insects can tell us about crimes and how they can help investigators seek justice for victims.

⚠️ This episode contains discussions about death and the role of decomposition in criminal investigations. Some listeners may find the content disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

Episode Music Credits: Vittoro by Blue Dot Sessions, Glass Beads by Blue Dot Sessions, Rodney Skopes by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)