Deputy resigns from PC Sheriff’s Office

By Brooke Pankonin

Grant Tribune Sentinel

Sheriff Jim Brueggeman with the Perkins County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has announced the resignation of Blake Smidt, who served as chief deputy, effective March 28. Smidt held the position since Nov. 7, 2015. 

After completing Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in 2010, Smidt also worked as a deputy for PCSO for 14 months. 

Scott Miller has been reappointed to the chief deputy position. Brueggeman said Miller has served in this capacity before and will do so as they move forward. 

Miller, who has been with PCSO since Dec. 29, 2010, is also going to take over the duties of the criminal investigator. 

In December 2016, Brueggeman presented a resolution to the Perkins County Commissioners to set the number of deputies from six to five, including the chief deputy, in order to trim the budget. 

He said with the resignation, they are now compliant with the resolution and will not be hiring another deputy. 

According to state statistics, PCSO was overstaffed by 0.6 officers, which was another reason for the resolution. 

Brueggeman said going back to five deputies brings them down to two per 1,000 population, which is in line with the state standards published by the Nebraska Crime Commission.

“Another thing it’s going to allow us to do is reduce our budget asking this coming fiscal year,” he said. This will be the third consecutive year they’ve been able to do so. 

Brueggeman wants to assure the public that being short one deputy will not affect the service they provide. 

PCSO deputies include Miller, chief deputy/investigator; Casey Griffin, sergeant; Brian Chamness, K-9 deputy/road patrol; Angel Anderson, community service officer/road patrol; and Kevin Klahn, evidence technician/road patrol.