A Colorado police officer died just over a week after he was critically injured when he fell from a 40-foot bridge while pursuing carjacking suspects, the Fountain Police Department said.
Officer Julian Becerra, 35, died Saturday night at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, authorities said. He is survived by his wife and two children.
A procession was held Saturday night to carry his body from the hospital to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, also in Colorado Springs, the department said.
“We appreciate the outpouring of public support over the past week for Officer Becerra, his family, and the Fountain Police Department,” police spokeswoman Lisa Schneider said in a statement.
Officers were asked to help the Department of Corrections find a carjacking suspect around 4 p.m. bridge just south of Colorado Springs, Fountain Police Commander Mark Cristiani said.
COLORADO POLICE IDENTIFIES OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
A Colorado police officer has died from injuries sustained after falling off a bridge while chasing carjacking suspects. The suspects in the stolen car were arrested after the incident occurred.
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The driver got out of the car and Becerra followed him. He fell off the bridge, landed in a riverbed and was badly injured, Cristiani said.
The driver and two passengers of the stolen car were arrested on warrants for their arrest and on suspicion of felonies that occurred during the chase, authorities said.
The driver had tried to jump off the bridge, but officers caught him, pulled him to safety and detained him, police said.
On Friday, Fountain police said Becerra had been on life support and was surrounded by family and friends, The Gazette in Colorado Springs reported.
Family, friends and law enforcement officers have placed candles, flowers and notes in Becerra’s patrol car, which is parked in front of the Fountain Police Department, reports KRDO-TV.
Becerra had been with the department for more than four years and previously served in the US Air Force. Funeral plans have not been announced.
