MARK MATUZA

Class of 1985
​Inducted in 2025

Mark was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 2025.

Mark graduated from South in 1985.  He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UNO.
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Mark joined the Omaha Police Department in 1992.  He worked his way up through the ranks; promoted to Sergeant in 2006, Lieutenant in 2011, and in 2017 he was promoted to Captain.  Mark worked in the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Gang Unit, and Uniform Patrol. He retired in 2023 after serving 31 years.  In 2024 he went back to work part-time in the Mayor’s Office.

Throughout his career, he has received multiple commendations, including Miller Park Citizen Patrol Officer of the Year; Distinguished Service Award for leadership and mentoring; a Police Ribbon of Excellence; and a second Distinguished Service Award for 31 years of service.

Over the past 20 years, Mark has consistently donated back to the community. He has coached youth baseball/football teams, is actively involved in organizing and donating bicycles for the youth in North Omaha, and while being assigned to North Omaha in 2021, he assisted and presented at “Teen Talk” with other community activists at the Washington Library and the Salvation Army. He was instrumental in organizing and facilitating “Cops and Bobbers” at Benson Park; “Fun in the Park” at Miller Park. Twice Mark has been the featured speaker on KETV Channel 7’s The Chronicle regarding law enforcement and public safety.
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He comes from a South High family. Both his parents and his two brothers attended South. Mark and his wife, Brooke, have two children, Jace and Aliya. Mark is unhappy to report that they are Westside kids.

Mark says that when asked about his school, he is always proud to say that he graduated from South High, it is a sense of pride. Mark said, “South High kids are a tight knit group and unlike any other. We all look out and support each other in any way that we can. We all share a sense of hard work, toughness, and a “blue collar” approach to life”. He says he will always cherish the experiences that he had at South.