Chicago man who stabbed Lincoln Police officer is sentenced to prison

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Chicago man who stabbed a Lincoln Police officer in the neck last year was sentenced on Friday.

Simon Kafka, 28, was sentenced to 30 to 45 years in prison for second-degree assault on an officer and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Kafka pleaded guilty to the charges last month.

On Oct. 17, 2023, Kafka was refusing to get off a bus at the depot near 52nd and Superior streets.

Officers arrived, and Kafka started fighting with them, according to police.

Kafka lunged at Officer Kirby Urbanek, stabbed him with a knife and reached for his firearm.

Another officer, Kate Schwenke, then fired her gun, hitting Kafka once, police said.

Urbanek and Kafka were both taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.