DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff Tuesday, May 26, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in honor of Omaha, Neb., Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, 29, who was a Walnut, Iowa, native and resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Orozco was killed in the line of duty Wednesday, May 20, 2015, as she served a warrant on a wanted man, who was also shot and killed that day.
According to the Omaha Police Department, Officer Kerrie Orozco 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 sadly ended her career in the same Unit.
Officer Orozco is survived by her husband Hector Orozco and two stepchildren, Natalie and Santiago. Officer Orozco had given birth to Olivia Ruth on February 17, 2015. Oliva Ruth was delivered early and was expected to come home from the hospital tomorrow, May 21st… the same day Officer Orozco was going to begin her maternity leave.
Officer Orozco is also survived by her mother Ella Holtz, brothers Elija and Erran Holtz, brother Nolan Nielsen and sister Kelsi Holtz.
Officer Orozco was currently active in coaching baseball and has been coaching since 2009 at the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club. She also did many other things at the club including planning pizza parties. She volunteered with Special Olympics and was president of Police Officer Ball to benefit Special Olympics Nebraska. Kerrie was a Girl Scout Leader, participated with Shop with a Cop and assisted with the Latino Police Officers Easter Egg Hunt.
Officer Kerrie Orozco was not only a top notch police officer but she gave back to the community in so many ways. In today’s press conference, Chief Schmaderer stated that the community owes a great deal to such a wonderful person. Her loss will not only impact the police officers but will also be a huge loss for the citizens of Omaha.
