The Portage County UFO Chase

In the early morning hours of April 17, 1966, police officers from Portage County, Ohio pursued a UFO for approximately 30 minutes across county and state lines. The chase involved multiple officers from different jurisdictions and ended in Conway, Pennsylvania.

The Beginning

5:00 AM April 17:

• Deputies Spaur and Neff
• Investigating abandoned car
• Bright light appeared
• Rose from behind trees
• Chase began

Deputy Dale Spaur

Primary witness:

• Portage County Sheriff’s Deputy
• Experienced officer
• 16-year veteran
• Credible witness
• Life changed forever

Deputy Wilbur Neff

Partner that night:

• Also witnessed object
• Confirmed Spaur’s account
• Participated in chase
• Consistent testimony
• Another credible officer

The Object

Officers described:

• Approximately 40 feet wide
• Dome on top
• Brilliant light
• Humming sound
• Intelligent movement

The Chase

Deputies pursued:

• At high speeds
• Object ahead of them
• Maintaining distance
• Seemingly aware
• Led them east

Crossing Borders

The pursuit:

• Crossed into Columbiana County
• Then into Pennsylvania
• Multiple jurisdictions
• Other officers joined
• Extended chase

Officer Wayne Huston

East Palestine, Ohio:

• Saw object pass
• Joined chase
• Third officer witness
• Confirmed descriptions
• Added credibility

Officer Frank Panzanella

Conway, Pennsylvania:

• Waiting for object
• Saw it arrive
• Fourth officer witness
• Observed with binoculars
• Detailed observation

The End

Chase concluded:

• In Conway, Pennsylvania
• Object rose rapidly
• Disappeared from view
• Officers exhausted
• Report filed

Project Blue Book

Air Force investigated:

• Claimed satellite sighting
• Officers disagreed
• Explanation inadequate
• Controversy arose
• Case remains disputed

Impact on Spaur

Deputy Spaur:

• Ridiculed afterward
• Marriage suffered
• Left police force
• Life destroyed
• Tragic aftermath

The Injustice

Despite credibility:

• Officers mocked
• Careers damaged
• Truth ignored
• Official denial
• Personal tragedy

Significance

The Portage County chase is significant for:

• Multiple police witnesses
• Extended observation
• Cross-state pursuit
• Official dismissal
• Human cost documented

Legacy

The Portage County UFO chase demonstrates both the compelling nature of multi-witness police sightings and the tragic personal cost often paid by those who report them. Deputy Spaur’s ruined life became a cautionary tale about the stigma of UFO reporting.