Ceresco police officer killed in multi-vehicle crash while conducting a traffic stop

Ceresco, NEB — Law enforcement officers across Nebraska mourn one of their own after a police officer was killed in the line of duty.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that killed Ceresco police officer Ross Bartlett while conducting a traffic stop Friday evening.

The crash happened at approximately 7:37 p.m. on Friday just south of Ceresco on Highway 77.

The NSP reports that multiple vehicles were involved in the crash that killed Officer Bartlett.

The NSP reporting that the accident happened during a traffic stop when a Ford F-150 struck Bartlett's patrol vehicle from the rear.

Officer Bartlett, 54, was life-flighted to Bryan Health West Campus by Star Care where later Bartlett died due to his injuries.

The driver of the Nissan, Ke’vion Hill, 27, of Lincoln, suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Bryan Health West Campus. The driver of the Ford, Tony Pierce, 49, of Crete, was not seriously injured.

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction investigation where once complete will turn over to the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office.

There will be a procession Saturday beginning in Omaha at approximately 12:30 pm. The procession will escort Officer Bartlett to Roper and Sons at 4300 O Street in Lincoln. The route into Lincoln will be: Exit I-80 at Highway 6, 84th Street southbound, O Street westbound.

The State Patrol says Bartlett also served as an investigator with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.