Sgt. Herbert Schirmer, a Nebraska Patrolman and latter Police Chief, claimed to have been abducted by aliens on December 3, 1967.
While patrolling Highway 6 in Ashland, Nebraska, Schirmer claimed to have spotted what he at first thought was a truck with red lights. When he approached the object he realized that the object was no truck. The object was a metallic disk and the red lights came from a row of portholes that surrounded the craft. The craft was hovering some 8 feet off of the ground. The object then rose higher into the sky and flew away over Schirmer's patrol car. Schirmer drove back to the station and discovered he had what is now called, "missing time". Schirmer could not account for about a hour of time. According to Schirmer, he had come on patrol circa 2:00 am and had witnessed the craft circa ten minutes later. However, when he arrived back at the station it was 3:00 am. Schirmer noted in his log book his sighting. After the experience Schirmer began to feel sick. He complained of a headache, fatigue, and a large welt on his neck.
News of the alleged abduction reached the joke of the Condon Commission who chose to "investigate" the alleged experience. The Condon Committee was not impressed. However, as part of the investigation Schirmer was hypnotized by Dr. Leo Sprinkle. During the hypnosis more details emerged. Some of the information matches the typical abduction experience while other details seem to be due to confabulation (making up stuff) or fantasy. This is a common problem with abductees and it takes a stern and observant hypnotist to spot confabulation and note it when it occurs.
According to Schirmer, "something white" exited the craft and approached the patrol car. This "white thing" communicated to him telepathically and exhibited some form of mind control over him as it prevented him from reaching for his gun and shooting. Schirmer was then taken into the craft. Inside where beings approximately 4 1/2 feet tall, having grayish skin and cat-like eyes. An interesting observation Schirmer made was that the beings didn't blink. Schirmer was forced to undergo some form of medical testing where something was inserted into his neck. Also, Schirmer admitted that he was anally probed.
As far as communication goes, Schirmer claims the beings communicated to him that they were peaceful, that they had a base on the planet Venus, and that they draw power from power lines in order to fuel their crafts. Some more of the controversial claims, and claims that may be attributed to confabulation include a patch consisting of a "winged serpent" the beings wore and a "communication device" consisting of one antenna the beings wore above the spot where one of their ears would have been. Schirmer believed this device enabled them to communicate telepathically. This is not something consistent with the experiences of other abductees. It is possible the communication concerning the aliens being peaceful and having a base on Venus was also confabulation. Finally, it should be noted that during hypnosis Schirmer began talking as if he was one of the aliens and as if an alien was speaking through Schirmer. These are blatant signs of confabulation.
Sgt. Schirmer did not benefit financially or in any other perceivable manner from coming forward with his story. In fact, coming forward destroyed his career and reputation. Schirmer would go on to become Police Chief shortly after his alleged abduction experience but later resigned because of the public humiliation he experienced. Additionally someone threw dynamite into his patrol car. Schirmer's wife soon filed for divorce.
For me at least, it does appear that Sgt. Schirmer did indeed experience something strange that night. However, I personally believe that much of his testimony derived from the hypnosis session is tainted with confabulation. Confabulation is something that most early abduction researchers simply didn't know about. So these early researchers tended to accept what the abductee said happened at face value. If the experience occurred in modern times then researchers would be able to identify the confabulation and isolate the core "truth" of the experience.
The criticism from skeptics and debunkers is that Sgt. Schirmer fell asleep on duty and had dreamt the experience or else additionally suffered sleep paralysis.
Below one can listen to a presentation given by Herbert Schirmer in which he tells his story. Please note that it is in my opinion that Schirmer's testimony, as described in the video below, contain far too much confabulation to be believable at face value. Confabulation is a normal human trait. Basically, it evolves with time and it may not be consciously or intentionally done. So I believe that with time Schirmer kept adding false details to his story so that it has reached a level where the "core truth" of the experience has been completely hidden. For example, notice how often Schirmer claims the beings called him "watchman" when they communicated with him. I know good and well that this does not happen. Identifying someone by name or title is only necessary for audible language. The aliens communicate telepathically. As such there is no need to continually use names or titles. It's simply not done to the extent that Schirmer makes it appear.
1967-The Herbert Schirmer Abduction
The 1967 Abduction of Patrolman Herb Schirmer
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