Portage County Police Chase
Deputy Dale Spaur chased a UFO for 86 miles at 105 mph—across two states with multiple officers joining. The Air Force said he chased Venus. His career was destroyed. His family left him. He died convinced of what he saw.
Deputy Sheriff Dale Spaur and his partner chased a brilliant UFO for 86 miles into Pennsylvania. Other officers also saw and followed it, contributing to a widespread phenomenon. The Air Force, in its official investigation, ultimately blamed the sighting on Venus. Spaur, however, lost his career, his wife, and nearly his sanity—all for persistently insisting on telling the truth.
Dale Spaur
Before the events of April 17, 1966, Dale Spaur was a Deputy Sheriff serving with Portage County, Ohio, and was regarded as a respected officer with a good career and as a dedicated family man.
April 17, 1966
On the morning of April 17, 1966, the call came in at 5:00 AM regarding an abandoned car reported along Route 224. Deputy Sheriff Dale Spaur responded to the scene alongside his partner, Deputy Neff, in what was intended to be a routine response.
The Object Appears
At the location of the abandoned vehicle, officers observed a remarkable sight: a bright light rose from among the trees, exhibiting a massive and brilliant white hue, shaped roughly like a football and estimated to be approximately 40 to 50 feet in size.
The Illumination
The intensity of the light was extraordinary, effectively illuminating the surrounding area with a brightness comparable to daylight, making the ground clearly visible to all observers. Both Spaur and Neff saw the object, and its presence was undeniably unmistakable.
Beginning the Chase
Following the initial observation, Spaur and Neff made the decision to radio in their findings and initiate a pursuit of the moving object, which was heading eastward. They diligently followed the object for a remarkable 86 miles, maintaining a controlled distance and carefully managing the gap that separated them. The object’s behavior suggested an intelligent awareness of its surroundings.
The Speeds
Throughout the chase, the pursuing officers reached speeds of up to 105 miles per hour, with the object consistently maintaining its lead while they worked to keep a measured distance. They successfully managed to control the gap between their vehicles, demonstrating a coordinated effort to track the unidentified object.
Officer Huston
In a separate incident, Officer Huston from the East Palestine, Ohio, police department also observed the same object, joining the pursuit and subsequently multiplying the number of officers involved, providing crucial corroboration of the extraordinary sighting.
Officer Panzanella
Further north, in Conway, Pennsylvania, Officer Panzanella witnessed the object, observing as it rose into the clouds and served as the final witness to its disappearance.
The Air Force
The United States Air Force, through its Project Blue Book investigation, dispatched an investigator to the site. The investigator spent approximately two hours on-site, concluding that the object was likely Venus, citing evidence of satellite echoes. The case was officially closed following this assessment.
The Absurdity
Critics pointed out the fundamental absurdity of attributing the sighting to Venus, given the impossibility of actually chasing the planet and the fact that Venus does not move in a way that would allow for such pursuit. The presence of multiple officers, each providing the same detailed description, further undermined the Air Force’s explanation, representing a deeply insulting claim.
J. Allen Hynek
Astronomer J. Allen Hynek, a prominent consultant for Project Blue Book, was forced to explain the phenomenon. Later in his life, he admitted to feeling embarrassed by the explanation and revealed that he had been “ordered” to attribute the sightings to Venus.
The Aftermath
The repercussions for Dale Spaur were devastating. He was relentlessly ridiculed, his career was destroyed, his wife left him, and he suffered from serious mental problems, ultimately leading to a ruined life.
His Words
In retrospect, Spaur famously stated, “If I could go back, I’d never chase it,” lamenting the fact that he had lost everything—his career, his family, and his peace of mind—in pursuit of the truth. He expressed profound regret for his actions.
Neff’s Experience
Deputy Neff experienced a similar fate, also being ridiculed for his account, suffering damage to his career, and maintaining his truthful account despite the pressure. Both men endured significant personal hardship as a result of their involvement.
The Lesson
The entire incident serves as a stark reminder that truth can be severely punished, and that UFO witnesses are frequently subjected to harassment and suppression of their accounts, leading to career destruction, broken families, and deliberate concealment of important information.
Significance
The 86-mile multi-officer UFO pursuit ultimately became a dismissed case due to a fabricated explanation that tragically destroyed the lives and careers of the witnesses involved.
Legacy
Dale Spaur’s story stands as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that telling the truth about UFOs can cost you everything. The Air Force knowingly presented a false explanation, and Spaur paid the ultimate price for his honesty.
Sources
- Wikipedia search: “Portage County Police Chase”
- Project Blue Book — National Archives — USAF UFO investigation files, 1947–1969
- CIA UFO/UAP Reading Room — Declassified CIA documents on UAP