On April 24, 1979, officers from the Omaha (Nebraska) Police Department responded to a call at 4264 Binney Street to investigate a possible abduction and burglary. Inside the residence, they discovered seven-year-old Kamal Matthews, a paperboy, and his 26-year-old mother, Deroshia Matthews, a school crossing guard, murdered.
Despite countless hours spent investigating these senseless killings, the Omaha Police Department was unable to bring the case to a successful conclusion.
Like many unsolved homicides, this brutal crime left a family devastated and a community feeling unsafe, knowing a killer was on the loose.
That was then. This is now.
The “Omaha model”
I recently spoke with members of the Omaha Police Department Homicide Investigation Team about their incredible success in clearing homicides. In 2023, the Omaha Police Department responded to 29 homicides, followed by 19 in 2024. Their clearance rate for both years has been a remarkable 100%.
I asked, “What is the Omaha Police Department’s secret to success?”
The good news for you, my dear readers, is that it’s not a secret. Members of this highly effective team — Lt. Nick Andrews (Homicide), Lt. Kara Hindman (Assault Unit), Lt. Marcus Taylor (Gang Suppression Unit), and Captain Jeremy Christenson (Investigations Supervisor) — shared what I like to call the “Omaha Model” for you to consider.
The precursor of success: 15 years of community policing
All emphasized that their success stems from a 15-year, department-wide commitment to the philosophy of community policing. Omaha officers have become — and remain — actively engaged in this approach.
For example, both the Police Officers’ Association and the Black Police Officers Association consistently reach out to the community through successful programs like the Police Athletic League.
Officers on patrol no longer consciously think about community policing — it has become intuitive. As the group agreed, “It has become second nature.” Officers understand that by building stronger relationships with the community they serve, they can better protect and support it.
One nationally recognized example of this successful engagement is the Omaha 360 Project, a weekly, all-hands-on-deck violence prevention initiative where community members and police representatives come together to address public safety concerns.
These efforts have paid dividends. Community members now come forward with critical information — not for a Crime Stoppers reward, but out of a shared commitment to positively shaping their community.
It’s working because, as has been said, “When a community and its police department stand together, who can stand against them?”
Integration of resources
The days of the gruff old “gumshoe” detective, guarding information on a strict “need-to-know” basis, are over — along with the dismal 30% clearance rate. Captain Christenson attributes their success to an integrated approach to homicide investigations.
“In every homicide investigation, a supervisor assigns investigators to the case,” Christenson explained. “Along with them comes a well-oiled team, empowered to hit the ground running on what is seen as our case. Every homicide investigation starts the moment the call comes in.”
Here are the key elements of the Omaha Homicide Integrated Investigation Team’s Response:
Patrol response
Initial responding officers are trained to recognize the critical role their initial actions play in a successful homicide investigation.
Lt. Andrews emphasized, “The number one concern is officer safety.” However, with that priority in mind, officers are also trained to:
- Slow it down. Stay alert — not only to danger but also to potential suspects and evidence.
- Activate all cameras upon approach.
- Observe and document any vehicles or individuals leaving the area.
- Prioritize scene preservation to protect crucial evidence.
- Establish a secure perimeter and “make the scene big” — it can always be reduced later.
- Identify as many people as possible. Collect names and contact information, even from those unwilling to speak at the moment. Many hesitant individuals later agree to talk privately.
- Ensure an officer rides with the victim to the hospital to preserve physical evidence and document any statements made.
- Recognize that every role at the scene is critical to the investigation’s success.
- Ensure all officers on scene have their cameras activated.
Detective supervisor
The homicide supervisor coordinates the team effort, ensuring efficiency as multiple tasks unfold simultaneously. For each investigation, a shared document is continuously updated and accessible to all team members. This serves as a real-time reference, allowing investigators to track what has been completed and what still needs to be done as the case progresses.
Physical evidence
The scene is processed by the Omaha Police Department’s highly skilled in-house forensic evidence team. These non-sworn specialists are responsible for identifying, collecting, preserving, and analyzing evidence in burglaries, robberies, sexual assaults, homicides, and attempted homicides.
DNA
The department partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center DNA Lab, where evidence can be analyzed to extract DNA and identify contributors as quickly as possible. The lab can provide results to the police department within 72 hours.
Using enhanced collection and processing methods, the lab has achieved strong results in retrieving DNA from fired shell casings — a significant advancement in forensic science. Additionally, the University Team can conduct Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA analysis, further expanding investigative capabilities.
Auxiliary investigators
Homicide investigations are personnel-intensive, so Omaha utilizes detectives who are not assigned to the homicide bureau but have volunteered as auxiliary investigators. They are called in to assist with investigations as needed.
For example, they may be assigned to canvas the area, identify witnesses, and locate security cameras, doorbell cameras, or traffic cameras. Using their Axon Community Link, they can download footage for later review.
These auxiliary investigators, who aspire to one day join the Homicide Unit, gain valuable experience by serving in this role.
Gang Unit
Since some homicides are committed by gang members, the Gang Unit plays a crucial role in the Homicide Team, particularly in locating and apprehending perpetrators.
In one such case, Le’Zah Lewis, a pregnant mother of four who had just graduated from nursing school, was out enjoying Omaha Days when she was tragically killed in a territorial gang shooting.
The Omaha Police Department immediately launched a coordinated team investigation, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with heavy involvement from the Gang Unit. Within 16 hours, the gang members alleged to be involved in the homicide were apprehended.
Crime Analysis Unit
This non-sworn unit conducts extensive technological searches on names, numbers, addresses, records, and license plates. By handling these time-consuming tasks, they allow investigators to remain in the field. Their work also helps address staffing challenges for sworn personnel in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
The Assault Unit
The Assault Unit not only assists with homicide investigations but also investigates every drive-by shooting as an attempted homicide, using similar methodologies. These incidents are often precursors to gang-related homicides. By achieving a remarkable clearance rate in these cases, Omaha has seen a significant reduction in violence.
Interview and interrogation
Captain Christenson believes the street application of cognitive interviewing has proven the scientists right about its effectiveness.
There is also a great deal of thought put into deciding who will conduct the interview of each homicide person of interest. Many variables are considered, but the two constants are that the interviewer will be skilled in interviewing and well-versed in the case.
This thoughtful approach to a critical part of homicide investigations has benefited both their cases and those of other agencies.
Prosecutors
The Omaha Police Department has found that maintaining an ongoing working relationship with the district attorney’s office from the beginning of an investigation through trial is imperative. This collaboration has been paramount in achieving their ultimate goal: justice for every victim.
Traits of an effective investigator
The members interviewed shared that part of their success comes from a rigorous selection process for positions in the Homicide, Assault, and Gang Units. Officers chosen for these roles:
- Are naturally motivated and goal-oriented.
- Possess strong drive and a solid work ethic.
- Take ownership of their cases.
- Demonstrate the ability to follow up and secure their own warrants based on probable cause.
- Are multi-dimensional in their investigative skills.
- Go the extra mile to achieve the best results.
- Strive for professionalism through training and continuing education.
- Can set aside individual egos to be effective team players.
- Have a strong desire to achieve justice for victims.
Captain Christenson observed that assembling a team with these traits has been a key factor in their success.
Cold case investigations
The cold cases prioritized are those described as “they were almost there” — meaning investigators had identified suspects but lacked the evidence needed for an arrest at the time. The sergeant handling cold case investigations first conducts a thorough review of the case files. Preserved evidence is then re-examined using state-of-the-art DNA technology that was unavailable when the crimes were originally committed. When this process identifies a suspect, investigators are back in business.
Omaha PD’s success in solving cold case homicides is largely due to the efforts of the seasoned sergeant assigned to these cases. Having been with the department when many of these homicides occurred — and having responded to some as a young officer — he has an intimate understanding of the circumstances surrounding them.
One notable cold case was the double homicide from 1979 described at the beginning of this article. On January 12, 2025, the Cold Case Squad booked Abdulmalik Husain, 67 (formerly known as Louis Walker) on two counts of murder in the deaths of a beloved crossing guard mother and her seven-year-old paperboy son.
Conclusion
Along with everything I have shared about the Omaha PD Homicide Investigation Team, I would like to conclude with three words that define what I call the “Omaha model” of homicide investigation: Excellence in action!
| NEXT: Bill Powers on homicide investigations: ‘It is not about you, it is about a victim and the victim’s family’
