World War II rocket/Nebraska State Patrol photo
A World War II era rocket and a 40-millimeter grenade found in Nebraska have been rendered harmless by Hazardous Device Technicians with the Nebraska State Patrol.
Residents near Odell found the rocket from World War II while cleaning out a building on a farm. Workers at Hastings City Iron and Metal found the 40-millimeter grenade.
Troopers with the NSP Bomb Squad responded to both situations and used counter charges to disable both. Ex-ray examinations failed to determine whether the
Grenade found in Hastings/NSP photo
devices were duds or not, so both were treated as if they contained live explosive material.
“Any explosive device can be extremely dangerous, especially old devices that may have lost stability over the years,” Lt. Jim DeFreece, Commander of the NSP Bomb Squad, said in a written statement released by NSP. “If you ever find any type of explosive item like this, report it to law enforcement immediately.”
The Gage County Sheriff’s Office and Hastings Police Department helped NSP to dispose of the explosive devices.