[NE] Fearful Deputy Harrah's domestic violence arrest was "a very delicate and difficult situation."

[Sarpy County Sheriff's Deputy Dana Hannah's husband, La Vista Police officer Wesley Harrah] locked their two sons in the truck for about 15 to 20 minutes and refused to let her get them. When she tried to get out of the house to reach the children, he struck her with his elbow, hitting the right side of her jaw area and right shoulder area. He blocked her from the door so she couldn't get out... She hid Wesley's gun because, “I was in fear for my life and my children's lives"... "It’s a deal-breaker for your career if you're convicted. So this is a very delicate and difficult situation," said Bellevue Police Chief John Stacey...

NEBRASKA SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ARRESTED
1011now.com
Aug 10, 2009
Authorities say a Sarpy County sheriff's deputy has been arrested and accused of beating her husband. Thirty-year-old Dana Harrah was arrested Sunday on suspicion of domestic violence, third-degree assault and interfering with a public service device. Bellevue and Sarpy County authorities were called to her home on a domestic violence call around 6:45 p.m. Harrah was jailed in nearby Cass County, which routinely holds inmates for Sarpy County. A jail official said she posted $1,000 bond Monday and was released... [Full article here]

SARPY DEPUTY ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON HUSBAND Dana Harrah Former Crime Stoppers Officer Of The Year
KETV.com
August 10, 2009
A Sarpy County deputy has been arrested and charged with domestic violence and assault charges in the beating of her husband. Dana Harrah, 30, was booked Sunday night into Cass County Jail. Two years ago, Harrah was named a Sarpy County Crime Stoppers officer of the year... If convicted of the misdemeanors, Harrah would have her gun taken away, which would result in her losing her job. "It’s a deal-breaker for your career if you're convicted. So this is a very delicate and difficult situation," said Bellevue Police Chief John Stacey. [Full article here]

UPDATE: 

Married law officers exchange blows
Omaha World-Herald.
By Leia Baez-Mendoza
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
AUGUST 18, 2009

They took a vow to have and hold, not beat and scold.

But each half of a married law enforcement duo is accusing the other of breaking the law during unruly domestic disputes.

Both are on paid suspension while their claims are investigated, and one has filed for divorce. Each has requested a protection order against the other.

The tumultuous nature of their relationship first became public during a physical altercation at a police organization holiday party last year.

Sarpy County Deputy Dana M. Harrah was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence after the most recent dispute last week. Wesley Harrah, a La Vista Police officer, is under investigation for what his wife says were illegal tapes he made of her conversations with a friend.

Because of Dana Harrah's position in the Sheriff's Office, the case against her and the investigation of her husband have been reassigned to a judge outside of Sarpy County. They're scheduled to be in court next week.

The Harrahs' newly built two-story home sits in a peaceful Papillion development called Summit Ridge. In court documents, though, the Harrahs describe a less than peaceful atmosphere inside the home, where they live with two young sons.

The only detail the Harrahs agreed on in documents filed this week is that the most recent dispute began Aug. 9 with talk of a divorce.

She declined to comment when reached by phone last week.

He could not be reached.

According to their accounts filed last week:

Wesley: Dana told him she no longer was in love with him and instead was in love with another woman. He asked her to leave their home.

Dana: The mention of divorce made Wesley “very outraged and verbally abusive.”

Wesley: He agreed to leave the house with their two sons, and put them in his pickup while he went back for clothes, his police uniform and gun, since he was scheduled to work the next day.

Dana: Wesley locked their two sons in the truck for about 15 to 20 minutes and refused to let her get them. When she tried to get out of the house to reach the children, he struck her with his elbow, hitting the right side of her jaw area and right shoulder area. He blocked her from the door so she couldn't get out.

Wesley: He asked Dana several times where his gun was, but she refused to tell him. As he opened the front glass door to leave, she pushed him against the door jam, bruising and scraping him. He went into the kitchen and called 911, but she pulled out the phone cord, disconnecting the call. A 911 operator called back, and he asked for help.

Dana: She hid Wesley's gun because, “I was in fear for my life and my children's lives.” Two days earlier, he had confronted her about a phone conversation she had with a friend. He told her that he secretly placed a tape recorder in the van and in their bedroom. During their argument, he punched a hole through the door, causing his hand to bleed. He was verbally abusive, calling her names. She eventually left the house, fearing for her safety because he refused to give her his gun.

Wesley: He caught Dana sending inappropriate picture and text messages to a woman, and he confronted her about it at the Sarpy County police organization holiday party in January. She became angry, and he told her he was leaving the party. She pushed him hard from behind.Dana: In February, Wesley became enraged after printing her cell phone bill from the Internet and confronting her about certain calls. He threw remotes and punched walls.

On Aug. 10, Wesley Harrah filed for divorce, a little more than three years after he and Dana were married.

No charges have been filed against either of them. District Judge Randall Rehmeier, who handles cases in Otoe and Cass Counties, will assign the case to an attorney to decide whether to file charges.

Contact the writer:

444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com
http://www.omaha.com/article/20090818/NEWS01/708189942/0/FRONTPAGE
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