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Omaha Police Officer killed in the line of duty was a 2004 Walnut HS Grad

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May 20th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

An Omaha police officer and a suspect involved in a shootout Wednesday afternoon have died. A statement from Omaha Police said 29-year old Kerrie Orozco, a gang unit officer, was serving a warrant on the Metro Area Fugitive Task Force when she was shot. The Daily NonPareil reports Kerrie Orozco (Kerrie Holtz) was the daughter of Ellen, and the late Kevin Holtz of Walnut. Kerrie attended Walnut High School, where she played basketball and volleyball. She graduated from Walnut in 2004.

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Orozco is the 25th officer – and first female – in the department killed in the line of duty. She had been taken to Creighton University Medical Center in extremely critical condition after being shot about 1 p.m. near Read Street and Martin Avenue. Omaha police had responded to a “Help an officer” call at 30th Street and Martin Avenue.

Deputy Police Chief Dave Baker said officers were serving a felony arrest warrant about 12:55 p.m. During the process of serving the warrant, shots were fired. Orozco and the suspect, 26-year old Marcus D. Wheeler, were taken to the Creighton hospital in extremely critical condition, with CPR in progress. Despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the officer and suspect died.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said Orozco was a seven-year veteran of the department and had worked in the gang unit since March 2012.She had coached baseball since 2009 at the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club, volunteered with the Special Olympics, took in rescue dogs, mentored Girl Scouts and frequently spoke at Girls Inc.

Orozco was sworn in as an Omaha police officer in May 2008 in a class of 36. The former Kerrie Holtz married Hector Orozco Lopez in April 2011. Kerrie Orozco had two stepchildren, 8-year-old Natalia and a stepson, Santiago, who is 6. Kerrie had a newborn baby who was born Feb. 17, Olivia Ruth. She was set to be released Thursday from the neonatal intensive care unit at the Nebraska Medical Center.