Gov. Heineman Installs Maj. Bryan Tuma
as State Patrol Superintendent

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman formally installed Maj. Bryan Tuma today as Col. Bryan Tuma, the new Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. Family members, friends and co-workers joined Col. Tuma and the Governor for a pinning ceremony at the Capitol.

“Although I knew the colonel was widely respected within the law enforcement community, I have been overwhelmed with the level of support for his selection,” Gov. Heineman said. “Colonel Tuma is a strong leader committed to moving the State Patrol forward, and I am confident that we will see his vision of a 21st Century Patrol fulfilled.”

Col. Tuma, a 25-year veteran of the State Patrol, replaces Col. Tom Nesbitt, who retired June 3. A native of Columbus, Col. Tuma was commissioned on November 2, 1979. He has served in a variety of command assignments including director of training, and Troop Area Commander in the Field Services Division at Troop C Headquarters in Grand Island.

For the past eight years, he has managed the Patrol’s Administrative Services Division, a role which has given him a direct involvement with homeland security and domestic-preparedness issues for the state. Tuma serves on the Governor’s Leadership Group on Terrorism, and serves as the State Patrol’s point of contact on the coordination of homeland security efforts with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

“I am honored to be in the position to help shape the future of the state’s law enforcement agency,” Col. Tuma said. “I look forward to putting my experience and knowledge to work for the citizens of Nebraska, and I am committed to serving the best interest of the agency and the employees of the Nebraska State Patrol.”

Col. Tuma, 49, earned a criminal justice degree in 1977 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a 1993 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, State and Provincial Police. He will oversee an agency with 705 employees, including 486 sworn law enforcement officers.

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