A section of Matzke Highway north of the I-80 Milford interchange was closed Jan. 6 while law enforcement investigated an incident that began with a stolen vehicle.
The Seward County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a stolen vehicle that had crashed into a ditch near the area of 140th and Superior roads at approximately 9:15 a.m. Jan. 6.
While the deputy was responding to the incident, another call came in of an attempted home invasion at 238th and Adams.
The caller said that the subject had attacked the home owner and had fled on foot. The deputy then re-routed to the attempted home invasion.
Once the deputy arrived in the area, he encountered a man who fit the description of the home invasion suspect.
The suspect was later identified as Cody Nielsen, 31, of York.
During the encounter, Nielsen would not obey commands and immediately became violent. Nielsen then tried unsuccessfully to flee in the deputy’s patrol unit. The deputy ordered Nielsen to the ground multiple times before deploying his taser two times. Both deployments were unsuccessful at incapacitating Nielsen.
Nielsen was again ordered to get on the ground. At this time the deputy deployed his department issued firearm, ultimately shooting and wounding Nielsen in the leg.
The deputy then initiated medical care on Nielsen and summoned emergency rescue assistance. As of Jan. 6, Nielsen was being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Nielsen is also believed to be a suspect in connection with multiple vehicle thefts in Seward and York counties.
Nielsen has also been taken into custody for a parole violation and multiple felonies.
It was later discovered that Nielsen had entered the residence on 238th Road and told the resident that the resident would give him a ride or Nielsen would take the resident’s car keys and car. A physical altercation occurred between the resident and Nielsen. During the struggle, Nielsen head-butted the resident in the upper forehead, injuring the resident and causing the resident to fall to the ground. Nielsen then left on foot.
The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the circumstances of the officer involved shooting.
At 11:18 a.m. that morning, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office sent out a notice on social media and its notification system that said, “Police are searching for a dark complected male on the eastern side of the county. Lock your house and vehicles. Call 911 if seen.”
At 3:56 p.m. that day, the department sent out a notification that said the manhunt was terminated and that there was believed to be no further threat to the citizens of Seward County.
On Jan. 8, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office said the search was connected to the incident regarding Nielsen but did not have any additional updates.
Seward County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Seward Police Department, Milford Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol and Seward Volunteer Fire and
Rescue.
Nielsen was arrested in connection with the offenses of burglary, third degree assault, criminal attempt, assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest and obstruction in connection with the case. His bond was set at 10 percent of $250,000.
