In the late morning of May 20, 2015, a sense of anticipation hung in the air for 29-year-old White/Caucasian female, Kerrie Orozco, an Omaha Police Detective. It was to be her last shift before she would begin her maternity leave. Her premature baby girl, Olivia Ruth, born in February, was finally ready to come home from the hospital, and Orozco was looking forward to embracing motherhood.
A seven-year veteran of the police force, she was a respected and beloved member of the community, known for her volunteer work with the Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and as a mentor for Girl Scouts.
That day, Detective Orozco was assigned to the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force. They were tracking a 26-year-old convicted felon and known gang member named Marcus D. Wheeler. Wheeler was wanted on a felony warrant for first-degree assault in connection to a shooting from the previous year. The task force had located Wheeler near the intersection of Read Street and Martin Avenue. As the officers closed in to serve the warrant, Wheeler opened fire on them with a semi-automatic handgun equipped with a high-capacity drum magazine.
A gun battle ensued. Orozco was struck by a bullet in the chest, just above her ballistic vest. Officers returned fire, hitting Wheeler multiple times. Despite immediate first aid administered by her fellow officers at the scene, Orozco's injuries were catastrophic. Both she and Wheeler were rushed to Creighton University Medical Center in extremely critical condition. Tragically, neither survived. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The suspect, Marcus Wheeler, had a significant criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm. The gun he used to kill Detective Orozco was later traced to a straw purchase made by his girlfriend in Georgia. In the end, there was no arrest to be made in the death of Detective Orozco, as the sole suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire. The incident left the city of Omaha in mourning for the loss of a dedicated officer and new mother, whose life was cut short in the line of duty.
