Ceresco police officer killed during traffic stop on Highway 77
CERESCO, Neb. — An officer died on Highway 77 when a car collided with his vehicle during a traffic stop on Friday night.
According to Nebraska State Patrol, at around 7:37 p.m. Friday, Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett conducted a traffic stop on Highway 77 south of Ceresco.
While Bartlett was parked on the shoulder, a truck hit the patrol car from behind.
First responders arrived on scene a short time later and found bystanders providing aid to Bartlett.
Bartlett was flown to a hospital in Lincoln before succumbing to his injuries.
The driver who struck the police car suffered non-life threatening injuries and received treatment at a local hospital.
The driver who was initially pulled over did not suffer serious injuries.
A full crash investigation is being conducted by State Patrol.
Bartlett served 30 years across various agencies in Nebraska including in Boone County Sheriff's Office, Madison County Sheriff's Office, Madison Police Department, and Newman Grove Police Department.
He was also a member of Ceresco Volunteer Fire Department and with the Nebraska Department of Corrections.
In a press release, Gov. Jim Pillen ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff immediately until Bartlett's burial.