Lincoln police officer Luis “Mario” Herrera, shot while attempting to arrest a 17-year-old on an assault charge, died early Monday after a nearly two-week battle to save his life.
Investigator Herrera had been hospitalized since being shot August 26, most recently at the University of Nebraska Medical in Omaha.
An impressive motorcade of officers from the Lincoln and Omaha police and the Nebraska State Patrol escorted Herrera’s casket from Omaha to Lincoln.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says sadness does not begin to describe fully the community’s sense of loss with the death of Investigator Herrera, a 23-year veteran of the Lincoln police department.
Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a statement saying he and his wife were “devastated” learn of Herrera’s passing.
He thanked to the “people across the state who stepped up to support the Herrera family in the midst of this terrible tragedy. From holding prayer vigils to donating blood, the community’s response was powerful and inspiring.”
Ricketts added that “now more than ever, it is critical for all of us to come together and support the men and women who put on the uniform and risk their lives every day to help keep our communities safe.”
The governor ordered flags in Nebraska to be flown at half-staff from Monday morning until sunset on Friday, which is Patriots Day and the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks..
Flags always fly at half-staff on that day to honor the 9/11 victims, including the 23 New York City police officers and over 340 firefighters who died in the collapse of the World Trade Center.
The teenager Herrera was serving the assault warrant on was wanted in connection with a June murder. He was arrested about 2 hours after Officer Herrera was shot.