Jeffrey Scott Miller appointed Sheriff of Perkins County on February 3

By Becky Uehling

Grant Tribune Correspondent

As of Monday, Feb. 3, Jeffrey Scott Miller is the newest sheriff of Perkins County, Nebraska. Miller was appointed by the Perkins County Commissioners to fill the vacant position left with their appointment on January 21 of former Sheriff James Brueggeman to serve as County Clerk. That position was left open with the resignation of former Clerk Rita Long, who gave notice in December 2024, and whose last day was January 31.

Miller had been hired in December 2024 to serve as the Superintendent for the City of Grant. However, with Brueggeman’s appointment, and Miller’s law enforcement experience, and desire to serve in the position of Sheriff, he resigned from the city position effective Jan. 31. (See City Council article in this edition)

The Perkins County Commissioners received two applications for the position of sheriff, one from Miller and one from Burton Pianalto, a former sheriff from Sherman County, Kansas based in Goodland. Both men interviewed for the Perkins County Sheriff’s Position during the Commissioners meeting on Feb. 3 with the commissioners and in front of the public who had gathered for the meeting.

After the interviews, the commissioners thanked the applicants, saying both were highly qualified and bring a lot to the table. However, based on fact that Miller has served as a law enforcement officer in Perkins County already, that his family is currently residing here, and that he currently has an active law enforcement license in the State of Nebraska, the commissioners unanimously moved to appoint Miller as sheriff. Pianalto did not have an active Nebraska license.

After being appointed, Miller was sworn in immediately by County Attorney Rick Roberts, and subsequently went straight to work.

Former Deputy

Miller had served as a deputy in Perkins County for nearly 13 years from December 2010 to September 2023 under Sheriff Brueggeman, who, Miller said during his interview, was a great mentor to him.

“In 2010 I came looking for work in law enforcement in Nebraska. I put in an application with Perkins County, and Jim went out on a limb and hired a guy from California to come in and do some deputy duties,” Miller said. “I faithfully served Perkins County for 13 years.”

In 2023 Miller decided to take a break from law enforcement and took a job with Great Plains Communications.

“I didn’t leave because my heart wasn’t in it, but to reconnect with my family and recalibrate and see where my priorities were really aligned,” Miller said.

Miller worked for Great Plains Communications until December of 2024 when he accepted the position of Superintendent at the City of Grant.

“Working in the private sector was great, but I came to realize my calling is public service and specifically in law enforcement,” he said. “When this (sheriff) opportunity came up, I wanted to continue the vision that Sheriff Brueggemann started and faithfully served the county for many years.”

Miller admitted that he and Brueggeman didn’t always agree on everything, but they did always agree on providing quality law enforcement for Perkins County.

“I want to embody that,” Miller said. “I feel that I am the best person to do that, and stepping into the role of sheriff will allow me the opportunity to continue that.”

Miller was questioned on how he would handle staffing, and specifically the challenges of finding the five deputies the sheriff’s office is budgeted to hire. He said no matter what the deputy count was in the office, he would make it work.

“We always made it work,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the sheriff to fill in if short. Yes, five (deputies) is nice, but the core mission is to respond to calls, and, honestly, if done well, you could even do that with one person.”

However, Miller said he will focus on bringing in more deputies so the quality of service will continue with the office, and the office can remain proactive in situations that may affect the area.

“The reason that I love Perkins County so much is because there aren’t glaring crime issues that need to be addressed,” he said, stating he would like to keep it that way. “That would be the primary focus, to maintain the quality of life and safety the public deserves here,” he said.

Miller was asked if he intended to run for election in 2026 when the remaining part of the appointment would be over. Miller said he did intend to run, and he was prepared to learn how to run a campaign.

Before making their decision, the Commissioners heard from Grant resident and former State Patrol Trooper Dan Thompson who gave a referral for Miller, saying he has gotten to know Scott over the years, and has the utmost confidence in him.

“Like Jim and Mark before him, Scott has the same integrity and honesty that are second to none, and he will carry that with him into this position,” Thompson said.

Priorities and Moving Forward

Speaking from the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday morning, Miller said he was busy getting up to speed on outstanding cases, taking care of some housekeeping items, developing a plan to hire more deputies, reestablishing relationships pertinent to the office, and looking forward to getting back out on patrol. He said his returning to the office felt natural, like he never left.  

“I did miss it,” Miller said about his return to law enforcement. “But, it is just like riding a bike. It has been easy to pick up where I left off.”

Miller also gives credit to Brueggeman for helping with the transition by making himself available for questions and advise.

“I would like to credit Jim. He has been very helpful easing the transition process,” Miller said.

Miller commented he would also like to thank his family for their support, and stated they are happy for him to be back in law enforcement.

“My two girls are excited for the patrol car to be back out in front of our house,” he said.

To the public, Miller said he would like to continue the open door policy Brueggeman had established. He also asks that all citizens of the community, along with those passing through, to report crime and unusual activity when they see it, and be proactively involved in the community.

Miller’s staff in the office include Deputy Walker Baird, who has been with the office since 2024, and Gary Eng, who has been involved with law enforcement since 1984 and “brings a wealth of knowledge to the staff here,” Miller said.

Miller encourages anyone who has an interest in being a deputy in Perkins County to contact him.  “The Perkins County Sheriff’s Office is hiring and actively seeking qualified deputies,” he said. “Those who are interested can call me directly at 308-352-7510.”