The death of a man who was arrested after allegedly attempting to break into a Bellevue home on Sunday is being investigated as an in-custody death.
Justin Lieffers, 43, of Bellevue, became “unresponsive and stopped breathing,” according to a statement Monday from the Bellevue Police Department. The Sarpy County Force Investigation Team, which includes multiple law enforcement agencies, is investigating the incident.
The results will be submitted to the Sarpy County Attorney pending a grand jury investigation, the statement said.
Police said that at approximately 12:46 p.m. Sunday, Bellevue officers were called to a residence in the 9300 block of south 28th Avenue, “regarding an unclothed male who was first in the reporting party’s swimming pool and later attempted to enter the residence without success.”
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The man, later identified as Lieffers, left the residence and was located by officers in the area of 27th and Fairview Streets. Police said he fled on foot and physically resisted arrest while being placed in handcuffs.
When Lieffers stopped breathing, officers “immediately performed life saving measures until medical personnel from the Bellevue Fire Department arrived on scene.” He was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police said one officer sustained minor injuries during the incident, but they didn’t require hospitalization.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of August 2025
Members of the Heaven's Cry Dance Academy ride a float during the native days homecoming parade on N. 30th Street in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Preston Love Jr. speaks after the ribbon cutting for the North Omaha Visitors Center at 2205 N. 24th Street in Omaha on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
Fans cheer as Magdalena Bay takes the stage during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing holds a piece of the ribbon he cut for himself at the ribbon cutting for the North Omaha Visitors Center at 2205 N. 24th Street in Omaha on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
The begining of the native days homecoming parade on started on 30th and Lake Streets in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Creighton's Saige Damrow (13)poses for a portrait during volleyball media day in Omaha on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
The the native days homecoming parade heads north on 30th Street in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Mica Tenenbaum from Magdalena Bay performs during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
From left, Andy Gruis and Mallory Inman sit in the grass between acts at Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Thousands gather during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Thousands gather during Maha Festival at Heartland of America Park in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with defensive coordinator John Butler during a football practice at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Rayne Stokes, 11, hands a Nebraska sign to Marques Buford Jr. (3) to autograph during football fan day at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Lily Goossen stirs pineapple for an ice cream flavor at Coneflower Creamery at Millwork Commons in Omaha on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Desmond Barnes looks at the encampment he's been living at by Dodge Street and Saddle Creek Road in Omaha on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. The campers, who are experiencing homelessness, have been issued orders by the city to vacate the area by August 14.
Creighton's Ashlyn Paymal (22) serves the ball during a volleyball practice at the Ruth Scott Training Center in Omaha on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. "GRIT" is spelled out on a whiteboard by the players.
Beto O'Rourke, former Texas congressman, speaks during a town hall at University of Nebraska at Omaha's Scott Conference Center in Omaha on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Creighton's Ashlyn Paymal (22) poses for a portrait during volleyball media day in Omaha on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025.
A hole is seen in the roof of the Dollar General distribution warehouse located at 1200 S 10th Streeet in Blair, Neb. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. An early morning storm caused widespread wind damage in the area.
A rainbow is seen as lightning strikes during an early morning storm brought high winds to the area early in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
The sunrises as a storm moves through early in Omaha on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
Elkhorn North's Austin McMurtry throws the ball during high school football practice at Elkhorn North in Omaha, Neb. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
Yaya Dao throws branches into a pile of tree debris at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Omaha, Neb. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. An early morning storm Saturday caused widespread wind damage in the area.
