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LINCOLN — Death threats come with the badge, especially for those who wear one for decades.

Pierce County Sheriff Rick Eberhardt told Nebraska lawmakers Wednesday about two threats that stand out from 32 years in law enforcement.

One was made by a young man convicted of shooting his father to death. Sentenced to 10 years to life for second-degree murder, the man was released on parole in 2008, according to prison records.

The second threat came from another man who punched Eberhardt in the mouth during an arrest. As the man lay on the ground being cuffed, he said he would make the sheriff pay.

“ ‘When I get out ... I’m going to kill your wife, I’m going to kill your son, and I’m going to rape your daughter and kill you last, so you have to watch the whole thing,’ ” Eberhardt said, recounting the threat to members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

It’s why he and other law enforcement officers testified in support of Legislative Bill 500, which would allow off-duty or retired officers to carry concealed handguns nearly all places uniformed officers can carry their service weapons.

The bill hit on two hot buttons for State Sen. Ernie Chambers: expansion of gun rights and police.