OMAHA, Neb. -- An Omaha police officer was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while attempting to locate a suspect to serve a felony arrest warrant.
Officer Kerrie Orozco was part of the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force -- comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement officials. The task force was searching for 26-year-old Marcus D. Wheeler and was conducting surveillance at 12:58 p.m in the area of Martin Avenue and Read Street.
Officials said during a press conference that the officers were attempting to arrest Wheeler, who had a felony warrant for first degree assault as a result of a shooting investigation. Wheeler is a convicted felon and also a known gang member.
The officers observed the suspect on foot near 3159 Vane Street. The suspect then fired several gunshots at the officers before fleeing. An Omaha police sergeant and two officers assigned to the task force confronted the suspect behind a home at 3057 Martin Avenue. Gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and the officers.
During the shootout, Orozco was struck by gunfire. First aid was administered by officers who arrived on scene.
The suspect then fled to 3043 Read Street, where he was located by officers. The suspect was suffering from gunshot wounds when he was found. Officers also located a semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity drum magazine near the suspect's body.
Both Orozco and Wheeler were transported to Creighton University Medical Center in extremely critical condition with CPR in progress. They were both pronounced dead at the hospital.
"This is a somber day for the City of Omaha. For Omaha police officers especially, and the entire law enforcement community," Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said during a press conference.
The 29-year-old officer had been with the Omaha Police Department 7 years and 5 months. She was a bi-lingual, Spanish interpreter and began working for the Gang Unit in March of 2012 and ended her career in the same unit.
Orozco is survived by her husband Hector Orozco and two stepchildren, Natalie and Santiago. She had given birth to her daughter Olivia Ruth on Feb. 17. Because she delivered early, Ruth had been kept in intensive care and was expected to come home on May 21, the same day Orozco was set to begin her maternity leave.
She is also survived by her mother Ella Holtz, brothers Elija and Erran Holtz, brother Nolan Nielsen and sister Kelsi Holtz.
Orozco was active as both a youth baseball coach and as a volunteer with the Special Olympics. She was president of Police Officer Ball to benefit Special Olympics Nebraska.
She also was a Girl Scout Leader, participated with Shop with a Cop and assisted with the Latino Police Officers Easter Egg Hunt.
Donations can be made to the Omaha Police Foundation, which will be passed on to Orozco's family.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
