Sarpy County hearing examines termination of corrections sergeant after October takedown

A Sarpy County Personal Policy Board hearing on Feb. 11, 2026, took evidence on the December 2024 termination of Sergeant Ramon Leonardo Estevez after a takedown on Oct. 9 that left an inmate with a broken nose and facial lacerations.

The county, represented by Sarpy County attorney Ryan Coonhardt, told the board the corrections director’s decision to fire Estevez was justified because the department’s use-of-force policy prohibits techniques that create foreseeable head injuries when safer alternatives exist. "The evidence tonight will show the force used by Sergeant Estevez was objectively unreasonable," Coonhardt said in his opening statement, citing investigator reports, still images and witness testimony.

Estevez’s counsel, Courtney Faller, argued the termination lacked just cause under the labor contract and warned against 20/20 hindsight. "The legal standard is objective reasonableness without hindsight," Faller said, and urged the board to consider what the officer perceived in the split seconds before the takedown.

Evidence and testimony

The hearing admitted multiple exhibits and heard testimony from county trainers, investigators and an external use-of-force expert.

- Deputy Kevin Jones, a Sarpy County Sheriff's Office TAP instructor, testified he reviewed video stills and staff reports and concluded the takedown was "unreasonable" because the inmate was…