[NE] Wife of Officer Heyenga says her eyes rolled back in her head and she lost consciousness

...Documents claim [Omaha Police Officer Sean] Heyenga wrapped both hands around [NM]'s neck and began strangling her until her eyes rolled back in her head and she lost consciousness... Officers wrote that [NM] had "visible marks," of strangulation, which were “photographed by the crime lab”... In court Friday afternoon, details emerged suggesting this isn't the first time Heyenga had attacked his wife... [NM] claims she has been too scared to come forward because Heyenga is a police officer... [A 12 year old child was there during the attack]

To Officer Heyenga's wife - you did the right thing even though it may feel wrong or make you feel sick that it can't be undone now. As the story-keeper I tell you that many women who have been murdered at home were afraid to reach for help because their husband or boyfriend was a law enforcement officer. It doesn't help you or him to keep the secret. Secrecy does not heal or protect.

You were as close to death as you can come without leaving us.

All 3 of you are in my prayers.

OMAHA POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED FOR FELONY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
action3news.com
Liz Dorland
Posted: Dec 18, 2009 09:21 AM
[Excerpts] Omaha police arrest one of their own Thursday night after allegedly attacking his wife. Officers were called to 1902 North 63rd Street just after 11:30pm for a report of a domestic violence assault. The wife of officer Sean Heyenga, 41-year-old [NM], told them she had been attacked and strangled by him. Court documents say Heyenga had been drinking before he got home. He and [NM] began arguing about kids. Documents claim Heyenga wrapped both hands around [NM]s' neck and began strangling her until her eyes rolled back in her head and she lost consciousness. When she woke-up, court documents claim [NM] ran to a neighbors house to call 911. Officers say they even saw visible marks of the attack on her neck. Court documents also claim [NM] says Heyenga has been violent before with her. [NM] claims she has been too scared to come forward because Heyenga is a police officer... Action 3 News learned Heyenga's 12-year-old son was home during the alleged attack. The county attorney says he is answering police questions about the accusation. [Full article here]

WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW
kptm.com
Todd Unger
Dec 18, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Responding officers found his wife, 41–year–old [NM], suffering from clear marks of strangulation around her neck. In court Friday afternoon, details emerged suggesting this isn't the first time Heyenga had attacked his wife. Prosecutors say she didn't tell anyone about past incidents because of her husband's position as a cop. Local domestic violence experts say that is a problem. Sue Michalski works with victims through the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. "What perpetrators do best is find out what's important and use that against the individual they're violating," she says. She says often times abusers who have jobs that put them in a position of public trust–teachers, cops or doctors for example–use a 'public/private' face. Michalski says they'll tell their victims, "Nobody will believe you.  Everyone is gong to believe me.  I'm the greatest.  I would never do anything like this." Heyenga is being charged with felony assault & strangulation and also making terroristic threats. His bond was set at ten percent of $200,000, or $2,000... They also say her son from a previous marriage witnessed the assault. [Full article here]

OPD OFFICER CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC ASSAULT
Wife Says Not First Time She's Been Assaulted
ketv.com/news
December 18, 2009
[Excerpts] ...The Douglas County Attorney’s Office has reviewed the reports and filed assault/strangulation and terroristic threats charges against Heyenga. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Heyenga will be prosecuted for the offense just like anyone else. "Domestic violence is serious problem," Kleine said. "It runs the spectrum. It's especially disheartening, especially troubling, when someone in law enforcement is involved in this case." In court Friday afternoon, prosecutors said Heyenga came home after drinking Thursday night and got into an argument with his wife. They said Heyenga got on top of his wife, strangled her and threatened to kill her. The prosecutors said he strangled [NM] until she passed out. [NM] said she had been assaulted by Heyenga "on several occasions." She said she didn't report it because of his position in the police department. She was afraid nothing would be done... A judge set Heyenga’s bond at $20,000 dollars. He told the judge he can’t afford an attorney. Heyenga’s preliminary hearing will be held on Jan. 12... He’s been placed on administrative leave pending a criminal and internal investigation. [Full article here]

UPDATE: OFFICER OUT ON BOND AFTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARREST
An Omaha police officer has found himself on the wrong side of the law. Sean Heyenga is charged with felony strangulation and making terroristic threats after a domestic violence arrest Thursday night.
wowt.com
Jodi Baker sixonline@wowt.com
Updated: 6:36 PM Dec 18, 2009
[Excerpts] ...Bond was set at $20,000 for Heyenga in his first court appearance Friday. He was able to bail out with 10% of that or $2,000. However, the judge ordered him to stay away from his wife, [NM], and his 12 year-old boy... Officers wrote that [NM] had "visible marks," of strangulation, which were “photographed by the crime lab”... [NM] says Heyenga began to choke her and even threatened to kill her. She says she finally lost consciousness. When she came to, she went to a neighbor’s house for help. She was taken to Methodist Hospital. Documents shared at Heyenga’s preliminary court appearance Friday, indicate that [NM] had been victimized by her husband a number of times before. But she never reported them, “due to his position.” "Very troubling,” said Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine... Kleine says [NM]'s injuries were serious enough to cut off her breathing, which is why such a charge as felony strangulation exists... "It's difficult and it's obviously disappointing,” said Lt. Tierney. “But at the same time it is a crime and we will investigate it thoroughly, and we'll also investigate it internally as well." Heyenga will have a court-appointed attorney after telling the judge that he could not afford to hire one. He said it's because of bills and his wife being unemployed. [Full article here]
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