New Sidney Police lieutenant, patrol officer, take oath of office 

SIDNEY – Sidney Police Department officially added two officers to the squad Wednesday. 

Lt. Jose Ruiz and Neal Reeves took their oath of office, formally accepting their duties with the Sidney Police Department. Ruiz is the new lieutenant and Reeves a patrol officer. Ruiz comes from the Kimball Police Department, and Reeves is entering law enforcement after nearly three years in Emergency Medical Services. 

“I was EMS for almost three years prior to this and got to know the town of Sidney and saw what Sidney Police were doing and really wanted to be part of that team and part of what their vision is and where they’re headed,” Reeves said. 

Lt. Ruiz said he is excited to get started, and is anxious to apply his experience in Sidney.

“It feels good. I hope my experience will be utilized very well. I’m very excited to get started,” Lt. Ruiz said. 

Prior to taking their oath of office, Judge Derek Weimer encouraged the officers to slow down for the details of life. 

“I think sometimes in the pace of the world in which we live we like to rush to the next step, whatever the next thing is. We want to get from A to Z so fast we forget about the steps in-between,” he said. 

He said law enforcement officers accept a specific level of responsibility. 

“People who serve in law enforcement capacities are first responders for our community. They are the people that have volunteered to put themselves in a position where when the need arises they go first,” he said. 

Judge Weimer encouraged Ruiz and Reeves to reflect on what in life brought them to that moment. He said self-reflection is a useful tool. He also encouraged them to remember for when the job is not fun, recall why they answered the call.