Man accused of stabbing Lincoln police officer at bus depot signs plea deal

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A Chicago man has been charged with stabbing a Lincoln police officer in the neck during an incident. Chaotic conflict at the bus stop A plea deal was reached last October.

Simon Kafka, 28, was convicted of second-degree assault on a police officer and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, according to court documents filed Tuesday. He faces up to 50 years in prison on each charge.

As part of the plea agreement, the judge dismissed two other charges: attempted second-degree murder and resisting arrest with use of a deadly weapon.

Kafka will be sentenced in Lancaster County District Court at 8:30 a.m. on December 20.

On October 17, 2023, officers were called to the Lincoln Bus Stop at 52nd and Superior Avenue after Kafka did not have money for a ticket and refused to get off the bus.

Lincoln Police said Kafka did not comply with officers’ commands, leading to a fight in the back of the bus. Police said the man eventually pulled out a knife and stabbed Officer Kirby Urbanek in the neck.

Despite officers’ continued commands, police said the man attempted to reach for an officer’s firearm, which prompted police to take action. Officer Kate Schwenke make a single shot. Kafka was hospitalized and then He was sent to the Lancaster County Jail.

Officer Urbanek joined the Lincoln Police Department in June 2022 and has five years of law enforcement experience. Officer Schwenke had been with the department for eight years at the time of the attack.

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