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Omaha officer killed by gunman shot above protective vest

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May 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The police chief of Nebraska’s largest city says an Omaha police officer killed in the line of duty was shot just above the top of her protective vest. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer gave more details Thursday of the shooting that killed 29-year-old Officer Kerrie Orozco on Wednesday. The chief said Orozco, a native of Walnut (IA) and another officer, had responded to a call for backup from officers who came under fire from the heavily-armed suspect.

Schmaderer says 26-year-old Marcus Wheeler fired on police who tried to arrest him Wednesday afternoon. Orozco and another officer soon arrived and chased after Wheeler, who turned and fired on them, too. Orozco was hit, and died at a local hospital. Wheeler was also shot and killed. Schmaderer says Orozco did not fire her gun.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has ordered flags in city to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Officer Kerrie Orozco. Stothert says flags should remain at half-staff until dusk Monday on Memorial Day. Stothert said Thursday the move is a sign of respect for Orozco and her service to the city. The city also plans to turn lights at the Heartland of America Fountain and on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge blue beginning Thursday night through Memorial Day.

Officer Orozco will be laid to rest Tuesday. Visitation will be held Monday at St. John’s Catholic Church at Creighton University, in Omaha. Omaha police officers and close friends will be invited from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friends and the public will be invited from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The vigil will follow at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. John’s Church. Additional seating will be provide at the CenturyLink Center with a large-screen video feed. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs.