A Trespassing Complaint, Unanswered Questions, and a Family's Journey Through Loss
- George Tanguy
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
This story reflects my personal account, observations, opinions, and experiences regarding events that occurred in December 2024.
On the evening of December 7, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., I received a security camera alert on my phone while I was working on one of my trucks inside the shop in Tracy, Minnesota.
Link to Officer Erickson's Body Cam Below
When I opened the garage door to investigate the activity outside, I observed Tracy Police Chief Jason Lichty & Tracy Fire Chief Dale Johnson leaving the property in a personal vehicle. According to my recollection, construction materials were visible in the back of the truck. After seeing the vehicle depart, I followed from a distance of several blocks to avoid being noticed.
The vehicle eventually arrived at Dale Johnson Construction, a business operated by Tracy Fire Chief Dale Johnson. Upon arrival, both men exited the vehicle and entered the building.
I was angry and frustrated. In my view, this was another incident in a pattern of harassment that I felt had gone unaddressed. After driving around for a while to collect my thoughts, I encountered Lyon County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Conner at Casey's General Store and informed him of what had occurred.
At the time, I did not believe my complaint would receive serious consideration. Deputy Conner was also associated with the Tracy Fire Department, and I felt there was little likelihood any action would be taken.
Returning to the shop, I made several phone calls, including calls to the legal hotline available through my union membership. I left messages describing what had happened and also contacted friends to discuss the situation.
The Prior Contact
The evening before, Tracy Police Officer John Erickson had stopped by the shop property.
During that conversation, I asked whether Jason or Dale had sent him on a "fishing expedition." Officer Erickson stated they had not and explained that officers routinely patrol the industrial park during evening shifts to ensure properties are secure.
I responded that such checks were unnecessary because security measures were already in place. We spoke for some time about local issues, including my concerns regarding Police Chief Jason Lichty and Fire Chief Dale Johnson.
Because of that prior conversation, I felt Officer Erickson was placed in a difficult position after my complaint. In my opinion, he faced a choice between pursuing allegations involving his superiors or following the direction of the department.
Officer Erickson remained on scene with me for approximately 66 minutes and 21 seconds. My impression was that more attention was being given to measuring and examining signage than to interviewing the individuals I believed had trespassed.
Requesting Records
After receiving no immediate response, I submitted a Minnesota Government Data Practices Act request on December 9, 2024, to City Administrator Jeff Carpenter and Police Chief Jason Lichty.
While awaiting a response, I discovered that an email from Officer Erickson had been filtered into my spam folder. We eventually connected, and I provided a flash drive containing photographs and other evidence I believed supported my complaint.
Link to Ring Cam Video Below
Approximately one week after submitting the records request, I was notified that the requested materials were available for pickup.
I paid the applicable fees and brought the documents home. Upon reviewing the packet, I immediately noticed the word "Unfounded" printed on the complaint paperwork. I also noticed a majority of the body cam video was missing. During that missing time Officer Erickson admitted to many issues and unresolved past complaints. This aligned with my thoughts of further cover up. Who has access to those body cam files? Do all Officers or just the Chief of police? Many unanswered questions.
To me, that designation was deeply disappointing. It indicated that no outside investigation was done and Police Chief Jason Lichty essentially investigated himself and found insufficient evidence to substantiate the complaint. Typical Tracy Minnesota Cover up like as if it’s in a play book like a football coach.
Seeking Help From Elected Officials
Frustrated by the outcome, I visited the home of Tracy City Council Member Jeri Schons and explained my concerns.
For roughly twenty minutes, she listened as I described the complaint and the history behind it. At the end of our discussion, her response was essentially that there was not much she could do.
The Problem is Jeri, there is something you could have done. The Citizens of Tracy elected you to represent us and our concerns. The only concerns ever heard are the fortunate ones..
I left the conversation feeling defeated. I had hoped an elected official might be willing to examine the matter more closely. Instead, I felt my concerns had once again gone unheard.
A Family Crisis Changes Everything
Shortly afterward, a family emergency forced my wife Chelsea and me to put everything else on hold.
We learned that Chelsea's father, Ken Self, was facing an aggressive progression of cancer and had decided to begin hospice care at home.
Ken was one of the strongest and most honest men I have ever known.
The Self family immediately came together and developed a plan. Everyone stepped forward to help. Chelsea and I packed our belongings and traveled to be with him, determined not to leave his side.
Despite the sadness surrounding those days, there were also moments of laughter, friendship, and love. With the occasional me catching the ladies of the house looking at the butts of mustached Fireman.
Friends from the Omaha Fire Department and law enforcement community visited regularly to show support. Family members rotated shifts to ensure Ken was never alone. Chelsea's siblings—Jake, Zach, and Colleen—shared responsibilities throughout the process.
Chelsea and I primarily handled the overnight shifts.
As the days passed, the house became what I can only describe as "Self Strong."
On our final overnight shift, we knew the end was near.
Chelsea positioned a recliner next to Ken's hospice bed and held his hand throughout the night. Around 4:00 a.m., we administered what would be his final pain medication.
Eventually, all three of us drifted to sleep in the living room.
Not long afterward, Ken passed away peacefully early Christmas morning.
Chelsea never let go of his hand.
Not once.
Lessons From Brotherhood
The funeral service was beautiful.
Members of the Omaha Fire Department Honor Guard stood watch over Ken throughout the service. The respect, dignity, and brotherhood displayed by everyone involved left a lasting impression on me.
After everything was over and we began the trip back to Tracy, I found myself asking a difficult question:
Why can't the Tracy Fire Department demonstrate the same sense of brotherhood, professionalism, and accountability that I witnessed during those days in Omaha?
Why do the same conflicts and controversies continue to emerge in Tracy?
Returning to the Complaint
Once life began returning to normal, I revisited the issue that had been left unresolved.
I filed a Harassment Restraining Order petition against Fire Chief Dale Johnson and Police Chief Jason Lichty.
During the hearing, attorney Matt Gross questioned why I had waited so long to file.
I provided a brief explanation but chose not to discuss the details of what my family had experienced during Ken Self's final days. Those moments belonged to our family and had nothing to do with the court proceedings.
Throughout the hearing, I felt the incident was minimized and treated as an isolated event. Because I was not permitted to discuss prior incidents that I believed established a broader pattern, the case focused almost entirely on a single occurrence.
I also had internal questions like, Is the Tracy tax payers paying for this representation or are they paying out of pocket? Would seem like if both parties weren’t on duty why should the city tax payers be on the hook? I intend to find out.
The citizens of Tracy have the right to know if those attorney expenses were provided with our tax dollars.
Ultimately, no action was taken.
However, the complaint and testimony became part of the public record.
Why I Continue Speaking Out
My belief is that many people remain silent because they assume nothing will change.
I disagree.
Whether others agree with me or not, I believe accountability requires persistence. I believe public officials should answer difficult questions. I believe complaints deserve impartial review. And I believe citizens should not be discouraged from speaking when they have concerns.
For years, many residents have privately expressed frustrations about local government, city departments, and how complaints are handled. Increasingly, people appear more willing to speak publicly about those concerns.
As for me, I have no intention of giving up.
The questions surrounding my complaint remain unanswered in my mind. The officials involved may believe the matter is closed.
I do not.
And until I am satisfied that the truth has been fully examined, I intend to continue asking questions.
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Kenneth (Ken) P Self of Gretna Nebraska Oct 10, 1952 - Dec 25, 2024.
Retired Marine & Retired Captain of the Omaha Fire Dept. Local Union 385, Survived by his wife Bonnie, children Colleen (Russ) Eddy, Jake (Ashley), Chelsea (George Tanguy) Self, Zach (Amanda), 6 grandchildren - Parker Eddy, Nora Eddy, Jet Self, Riker Self, Everly Self and Hadley Self - including the Omaha Fire Dept family of Brothers and Sisters serving the City of Omaha. He served on the Board of Directors on the Omaha Fire Dept Credit Union and was an active member of the American Legion in Gretna, Nebraska.
Ken, your legacy will go on and you will be missed.
You don’t just lose them once
No, you lose them over and over again.
A thousand times in a thousand different ways.
Every day.
Sometimes multiple times in a day.
It is a continuous never-ending cycle.
One you’ll have to endure with each reminder of their absence.
You will feel as if you’re traveling in two different directions.
Every second of every minute.
For each moment that passes.
You are crawling further and closer to them.
All at once.
And it takes a lot of courage to look forward to the future.
When you wish you could just go back to yesterday.
It gets lonely.
And you’re never really okay.
But that’s the reality of loss.
It can’t be fixed.
Only carried.
We will carry your Legacy and Memories forever Ken