Omaha cop Kerri Orozco, who had put off maternity leave after giving birth prematurely to a daughter, was killed in a shootout on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old officer delivered her daughter Olivia Ruth prematurely in February and stayed in the hospital for three months until she was scheduled to go home, according to NBC News.
Hours before supposedly taking her baby home, Orozco helped serve a warrant on 26-year-old Marcus Wheeler, a convicted felon and gang member. Two officers were exchanging gunfire with Wheeler when Orozco arrived. A bullet killed Orozco without her having a chance to fire back.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer told NBC News that the fatal bullet struck Orozco in her upper chest above the top of her protective vest.
"Officer Kerrie Orozco gave her life for all of us in her service to the Omaha Police Department," said Omaha Mayor Jean Stohert, according to Fox News. "She will be remembered and missed as a loving wife, mother, daughter and dedicated officer."
"Today's tragic news is devastating to the law enforcement community and all Nebraskans," Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said on Twitter. We must all ensure that Officer Orozco's sacrifice will never be forgotten."
