Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco is being remembered as someone who broke down barriers and showed everyone the human side of police.
Orozco’s life was celebrated Tuesday, six days after she was shot and killed while serving a warrant. Orozco was 29 years old and a seven-year veteran of OPD.
Police from around the nation came to Omaha for her funeral, and joined a crowd of more than 3,000 at the CenturyLink Center who paid tribute to Officer Orozco. Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says he hopes everyone sees Orozco in his officers.
"The next time you see an Omaha Police officer, maybe they're eating dinner, maybe they're in your rearview mirror, so after you check your speedometer, I want you to look back. I want you to look past the cruiser, past this uniform, look past the badge, and see Kerrie, see a little bit of Kerrie in that officer, because there's a little bit of Kerrie in all of us."
Orozco was a youth baseball coach. Her team attended Tuesday's funeral. Father William Bond of St. Joseph Parish says everyone can honor Orozco by giving back to the community.
"That's the way to 'Kerrie On,' to find that spot, that thing in your heart, that can bring good to others, that fits with your talents, your desires, and is who you are, that makes the world a better place. Some of the officers shared that Kerrie challenged them to do more charitable work, to get more involved in the community, to make a deeper bond."
Officer Kerrie Orozco grew up in Walnut, Iowa. She’s survived by her mother, four siblings, her husband, and three children. She's buried at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs.
