Retirement reception for Jeff Ebel set for June 13

In recognition of 35 years of service, UNMC Public Safety A-Shift Sgt. Jeff Ebel will be honored at a retirement reception on Friday, June 13.

The campus community is invited to attend the reception from 2-4 p.m. in the Private Dining Rooms, A&B in University Tower. Refreshments will be available.

“I’ve loved working at this place and have found joy in mentoring hundreds of officers over the past 35 years,” Ebel said. “How do you say goodbye to a profession that’s fulfilled half your life?”

Ebel joined UNMC as a security officer in March 1990. It was, he said, a “military match” after having wandered through various jobs following a short enlistment with the United States Marines as military police and later a rifle range instructor.

In August 1993, he was promoted to corporal and then, in February 1995, to A-Shift Sergeant, a position he has held the past 30 years – mostly in service on the UNMC/Nebraska Medical Center campuses. In October 2021, he transferred to Bellevue Medical Center, where he has played a pivotal role in helping transition outsourced security to in-house public safety officers. His last workday was May 29.

“Sgt. Ebel has been a valued leader within the public safety department for decades,” said Charlotte Evans, chief of police and associate vice chancellor for the University of Nebraska Police and Public Safety Department. “He always has demonstrated a strong passion for finding ways to better the service we provide to our communities. He will certainly be missed, but we wish him well on his new adventures.”

From 1994 to 2020, Ebel said, he was proud to serve as the department’s uniform and equipment coordinator. In this role, Ebel used his management, organization and tracking skills to both work with vendors, as well as coordinate installation and repairs. Read a 2014 UNMC Today story when Ebel introduced new security uniforms.

He also recalled how, in March 1991, while patrolling campus, he and Sgt. Maivandi (Mohammed) Wahab safely disarmed and detained a man who had been stealing items from vehicles. For their brave actions, the two shared the honor of being named employees of the month, an honor Ebel earned on two more occasions.

During his career, he also served as:

• Security coordinator for Life-A-Thon, 1994-2011
• Security coordinator for Metro Federal Credit Union Memberfest events, 1995-2019
• Fingerprint ambassador for several elementary schools in Omaha and Council Bluffs

In retirement, he plans to spend time with his wife, four children, seven grandsons and friends; fishing; grilling; playing Music Bingo; traveling and, not to be excluded, taking his grandpuppy for truck rides. His love of home improvements and remodeling work as a self-employed contractor also will keep him busy. And, he looks forward to celebrating his 70th birthday in August.