JournalStar.com

Sheriff under fire for drinking in car on trip

By The Associated Press
Friday, May 09, 2008 - 04:33:10 pm CDT
NORTH PLATTE — The Lincoln County Sheriff is coming under fire for reportedly drinking beer with deputies in a car traveling along Interstate 80.

Confronted by a reporter with North Platte radio station KELN, Sheriff Jerome Kramer said he and four deputies drank beer in a car on their way to a March 26 seminar in Lincoln. Kramer says a fifth deputy who was driving the vehicle did not drink.

Kramer says the group was not in a county vehicle and that they were all off duty.

Kramer says he knew there was the potential to get caught, but said, “I’m on call 24 hours a day, was two counties away and decided to let my hair down.”

He called it a stupid decision and said, “I shouldn’t have done it.”

Kramer did not return messages left Friday by The Associated Press.