Merrick County sheriff’s captain has months left of recovery from injury during chase

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A central Nebraska law enforcement officer who was injured in a chase has had a difficult recovery, authorities say.

The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office provided an update Tuesday on Capt. Jake Bauer’s condition.

Bauer was injured on Aug. 26 when he was chasing someone on foot after a vehicle pursuit.

He fell down an embankment and injured his elbow, wrist, knee and leg.

Bauer was taken first to a hospital in Grand Island, then to a trauma center in Omaha.

His swelling was so bad that doctors delayed his surgery more than a week, the sheriff’s office said.

During his time in the hospital, he needed a feeding tube due to abdominal distention, and small blood clots were found in his lungs.

The sheriff’s office said those complications will be resolved with medication.

Bauer is expected to return to work in a couple months but won’t resume his full duties for several more months.

“He has a long road to recovery, although his optimistic attitude and determination has already demonstrated his desire to succeed though this process,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.

Bauer said he is grateful for the community’s support.

“It is from the bottom of our hearts that we extend a very sincere THANK YOU to all those that have sent well wishes, thoughtful prayers, food, monetary donations, gift cards, and offers of service,” he said in the post. “My wife and I will never be able to find the words to show just how much each and every gesture has meant to us.”