Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha Police Dept)
Omaha police Officer Kerrie Orozco was killed on Wednesday in a shootout that also left the suspect dead.
The 29-year-old mother died after a fugitive opened fire as officers tried to arrest him for a previous shooting.
The man, Marcus Wheeler, 26, and Orozco both died at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha shortly after the 1 p.m. shooting.
Here’s what you need to know about the police shooting:
1. Orozco Was a New Mother With a 3-Month-Old Premature Baby in Hospital
Pic of OPD Officer Kerrie Orozco w/ fam. Set to take newborn home from ICU tomorrow. Shot & killed today @WOWT6News http://t.co/pLpIHwe0NL
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer’s voice broke at a press conference on Wednesday as he confirmed the tragedy and said Orozco was a new mother who had been nursing a premature baby to health in hospital.
“(The baby) is set to be released from the hospital tomorrow,” he said.
She is also survived by husband, Hector, two stepchildren, aged 6 and 7, her mother and two siblings.
2. She’s The First Woman Police Officer in Omaha Killed in the Line of Duty
(Omaha Police Dept)
It has been 10 years since the last Omaha officer, Jason “Tye” Pratt, was killed on duty. Orozco is the first woman in the department to die in the line of duty, according to a list on the Officer Down Memorial online page.
3. She Was a Special Olympics Volunteer and a Girl Scout Mentor
She was a Special Olympics volunteer and served as president of the Police Officer’s Ball to raise money for the Special Olympics.
Orozco also took in rescue dogs and was a mentor for the Girl Guides.
4. She Worked on The Force Gang Unit
Officer Orozco was a seven year veteran of the department and worked in the gang unit.
“She was a friend, a popular officer,” Schmaderer said. “I just can’t even imagine that this has happened. The city of Omaha owes her and her family a debt of gratitude.”
5. The Shooter Was a Convicted Felon & Gangbanger
Chief Schmaderer announces Detective Kerrie Orozco has died in the line of duty. http://t.co/rV1VYTAu8a via @OPDofcShade
Wheeler, who was wanted on a warrant charging him in an earlier shooting, opened fire on the officers as they approached him. Officers fired back, and Wheeler was later found behind a neighbor’s house suffering from gunshot wounds, said Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer.
He said a semi-automatic handgun was also found on Wheeler.
“Mr. Wheeler is a convicted felon and a known gang member,” added Schmaderer.