BEATRICE – Gage County Board members got to meet the new Police Chief of Wymore today.

Bobby Martinez took the job this past year in early August…. leading a department that has struggled with staffing issues and retaining leadership in the southern Gage County town.

"I got some guy I'm getting ready to hire so hopefully I'll get another person down there to help me out...because I like to sleep sometimes. It's hard to sleep when I'm the only one in town...but Gus (Sheriff Millard Gustafson) gives me a lot of help."

Martinez is a former sheriff’s deputy from western Nebraska’s Cheyenne County, and served in the U.S. Navy for twenty years. Martinez lived in Bridgeport, a town similar in size to Wymore.

"It's about the same size as Wymore is, so that's where I started my law enforcement career...there at the sheriff's office. Sidney's a little bigger...a little busier as far as county-wide, plus we have the interstate that runs through, so the interstate keeps us pretty busy with accidents. Our sheriff was very proactive with how we did things. We did everything...we never called anybody to help us. His motto was, if you kill it, you clean it. We did everything...investigations and all that stuff. That's kind of what I'm bringing to Wymore with my folks once I get some guys hired...we're going to be as self-sustaining as we can...and if we need help, I know that Gus is more than willing to help with anything that we need."

Gage County Sheriff Millard Gustafson’s department has been assisting with law enforcement in Wymore.

Prior to Martinez being hired, Mark Meints…a Safety and Security Coordinator for Southeast Community College…. had been serving as interim Chief of Wymore Police. He also serves as the town’s Fire Chief.