The Portage County UFO Chase is one of the most captivating and well-documented UFO encounters in American history, particularly because it involved multiple law enforcement officers in an intense, high-speed pursuit of an unidentified flying object across two states. This event took place in the mid-1960s, a time when UFO sightings were frequently reported across the United States, fueling public fascination and government interest. The incident, which spanned over 80 miles, involved officers from several jurisdictions and has been the subject of numerous investigations, including by the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book. The chase, which unfolded over the course of nearly two hours, was witnessed by several officers and civilians, making it one of the most credible UFO cases on record.

INCIDENT SUMMARY

In the early morning hours of April 17, 1966, two deputies from the Portage County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio, DALE SPAUR and WILBUR “BARNEY” NEFF, were conducting a routine patrol when they encountered something extraordinary. What began as a simple check on an abandoned vehicle quickly escalated into a high-speed pursuit of a mysterious, brightly lit object through rural Ohio and into Pennsylvania. The chase, which began in the small town of Atwater, Ohio, rapidly escalated as the object led the deputies on a winding journey through the countryside, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. As the chase progressed, other law enforcement officers joined in, each providing their own accounts of the object’s appearance and behavior.

The deputies reported that the object appeared to be intelligently controlled, as it seemed to respond to their movements, sometimes slowing down to allow them to catch up before accelerating away at incredible speeds. The object was described as a metallic, disc-shaped craft that emitted a blinding light, making it difficult for the officers to maintain visual contact at times. Despite the intense scrutiny and official investigations that followed, the exact nature of the object remains a mystery. Was it a secret military aircraft, an atmospheric phenomenon, or something more otherworldly? The Portage County UFO Chase remains an enduring enigma in the annals of UFO history.

DETAILS

  • LOCATION: Portage County, Ohio, United States
  • DATE: April 17, 1966
  • TIME: Approximately 5:00 AM
  • EVENT DURATION: Approximately 1.5 hours
  • NUMBER OF OBJECTS: 1
  • OBJECT(S) SHAPE: Elliptical or saucer-shaped
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT(S): Witnesses described the object as a bright, shiny, metallic disc that emitted a blinding light. It was estimated to be around 40 feet in diameter and moved silently, hovering at times before accelerating at incredible speeds. The object was reported to change color, from a bright white to a bluish tint, as it maneuvered in the sky.
  • ALIEN(S) ENCOUNTERED: None reported
  • DESCRIPTION OF ALIEN(S): Not applicable
  • CE CLASSIFICATION: CE1 (Close Encounter of the First Kind)
    • Sightings of a UFO within 500 feet where no physical effects are observed.

WITNESSES

  • DALE SPAUR: Deputy Dale Spaur was the primary witness and the officer who initially spotted the object. Spaur’s detailed account describes the object’s movements, its apparent responsiveness to the deputies’ actions, and the subsequent chase that ensued. Spaur’s testimony has been pivotal in establishing the credibility of the incident, as he consistently maintained that what he saw was unlike anything he had ever encountered before.
  • WILBUR “BARNEY” NEFF: Deputy Wilbur Neff, Spaur’s partner, was in the passenger seat during the chase and corroborated Spaur’s account. Neff provided additional details about the object’s appearance and behavior, particularly noting its ability to accelerate and change direction with remarkable agility. Neff’s account has been crucial in supporting Spaur’s claims, as the two officers’ descriptions of the event align closely, lending further credibility to the encounter.
  • FRANK PANCI: Officer Frank Panci from the East Palestine Police Department joined the pursuit as the object passed through his jurisdiction. Panci, who was stationed in East Palestine, Ohio, reported seeing the object and confirmed the speed at which it was traveling. His account provided independent verification of the object’s appearance and behavior, adding another layer of credibility to the case.
  • WAYNE HUSTON: Officer Wayne Huston from the Salem, Ohio, Police Department also witnessed the object and participated in the chase. Huston’s testimony further corroborated the accounts of Spaur, Neff, and Panci. He described the object as a metallic disc emitting a bright light and confirmed its incredible speed and maneuverability. Huston’s involvement in the chase provided additional verification from an independent witness, strengthening the overall credibility of the incident.

CONCLUSION

The Portage County UFO Chase remains one of the most compelling UFO encounters in the history of American law enforcement. The credibility of the witnesses, all of whom were trained law enforcement officers, and the detailed accounts they provided make this case particularly noteworthy. Despite extensive investigations by various agencies, including the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, the true nature of the object remains unresolved. Over the years, various theories have been proposed, ranging from experimental military aircraft to natural atmospheric phenomena, but none have been able to fully explain the events of that early April morning in 1966.

The incident has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and articles, each attempting to uncover the truth behind the chase. However, the lack of definitive evidence and the conflicting accounts from different sources have only added to the mystery. For UFO researchers and enthusiasts, the Portage County UFO Chase serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities involved in studying such phenomena. The case highlights the challenges of distinguishing between credible eyewitness testimony and the limitations of human perception, especially in high-stress situations like a high-speed chase.

In conclusion, while the Portage County UFO Chase may never be fully explained, it remains an important case in the study of UFO phenomena. The credibility of the witnesses and the thoroughness of the investigations conducted at the time provide a solid foundation for ongoing research. Whether the object was an experimental aircraft, a misidentified natural phenomenon, or something truly extraterrestrial, the chase continues to capture the imagination of those who seek to understand the unknown.