Up until about 10 years ago, Lanny Hanks of Gering was living his dream as a member of law enforcement. His 20-year law enforcement career, however, came to an abrupt end when he was severely injured in a high speed chase. He then became deeply depressed and came within seconds of killing himself before his dog saved his life. After that, he took on a different attitude, feeling grateful to still be alive and feeling a desire to help other people. He’s been doing just that as a firearms instructor and photographer, and his life recently took on another exciting change as he and his girlfriend, Stephanie Schafer, opened their own retail store which includes a Black Rifle Coffee Company authorized dealership and firearms training center in downtown Scottsbluff.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Lanny Hanks of Gering sat in his patrol car by Lake Minatare on the evening of Dec. 23, 2010, checking people’s speed as they drove by.
It had been a fairly quiet evening, perhaps because Christmas was only a couple days away. Hanks, who was working for the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Department at the time, originally wasn’t supposed to be working late that evening. But he had agreed to work an overtime shift for another officer who wanted some time off for the holidays.
As Hanks sat there in the dark, he spotted a vehicle coming down the road. Hanks’ radar clocked the driver going 68 miles per hour – well above the posted speed limit of 55. So, Hanks flipped on his patrol car lights and began pursuing the driver.
Hanks figured it would be a routine stop, but this time it wasn’t.
