Mark Overman for Sheriff

Longtime Scottsbluff Police Detective Mark Overman will challenge incumbent Sheriff Jim Lawson in the upcoming election.

Overman announced Monday that he plans to file to run as sheriff in the next few weeks.

He said he has consider running for many months and made his decision. Overman said he has been urged by many friends and others to run.

“It’s something I’ve thought about for a while,” he said. “I feel my experience with the Scottsbluff Police Department, WING Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force and working with various federal agencies will greatly benefit the citizens of Scotts Bluff County.”

Sheriff Jim Lawson announced earlier this month that he planned to run for a fourth term. Lawson won elections in 1998, 2002 and 2006. The position of sheriff is a four-year term.

Overman and Lawson are both Republicans and will face off during the May 11 primary.

Overman has served as an officer with the Scottsbluff Police Department since 1979. He was promoted to the rank of detective in 1985 and has served in that position since. During his career, he said, he has been involved with more than 1,000 successful convictions, including significant involvement in numerous homicide cases. Three of those homicide cases have resulted in death sentences.

Overman will continue to serve with the Scottsbluff Police Department during his campaign.

Overman was one of the original investigators appointed to the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group (WING) Drug Task Force in 1989. During his 16 years as a WING investigator, he served as case agent on multiple federal conspiracy investigations involving drugs and violent crime in cases that have involved working in various Nebraska and other state jurisdictions. In his tenure with WING, he served as senior agent and supervisor and represented the task force at High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force Commander trainings and meetings.

Through his work with WING, he was deputized by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in 2002. Overman said he has gained extensive experience with federal agencies, including the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Overman also served for 28 years on the SWAT team in various capacities, including commander for ten years.

Overman said his career has readied him for the position of sheriff.

“With my experience and education, I understand the demands of the position and feel I can rise to the challenge to meet them,” Overman said. “It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of Scotts Bluff County as their next sheriff.”

Overman earned an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in criminal justice from Western Nebraska Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Chadron State College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Overman has shared his expertise by training new WING investigators, teaching a confidential informant course for county attorneys, conducting SWAT training, teaching undercover operations and raid planning at state investigators school, and speaking on drug investigation topics for local agencies, schools, and civic groups. 

Participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics every year since its inception, Overman has served as a local coordinator for the event for 18 years, and has received the  Special Olympics “Guardian of the Flame” award.

For eight years, Overman has served as the vice-president of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police, representing more than 2,500 officers. Overman is also a member of St. Agnes Church, the Scottsbluff Elks Club, the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, and the FBI National Academy Associates. He is a member and past president of the Scottsbluff Police Officers Association and the Tri-State Peace Officers Association.  Overman has also volunteered with a number of local organizations including Theater West, the Midwest Theater, and  Valley Christian Neighbors in Need. He is the vice-president of the board of the Scotts Bluff Federal Credit Union.

Overman’s wife, Bev, manages the Railway Office Plaza. She is also the Executive Administrator for the Oregon Trail Community Foundation and the Executive Secretary for the Sugar Valley Rally. Their daughter Angie Wilson is a nursing instructor at Western Nebraska Community College, and their son-in-law Joe Wilson is a painting contractor.  They have two grandchildren, ages 7 and 4.