LPD officer Mario Herrera has passed on after battling for his life for multiple days. 

According to Journal Star, officers were looking for a 17-year-old Felipe Vazquez, 

wanted in connection with a murder. He and Orion Ross, 19, were said to be escaping from a 

house when Vazquez allegedly fired the shot that led to Herrera passing away 12 days later. 

In a statement to LJS, Governor Pete Ricketts said, “Susanne and I were devastated to learn of the passing of Investigator Mario Herrera. Officer Herrera’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. I also want to thank 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. 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.”

According to 10/11 News, he was a husband and a father of four children. He was also a devoted Catholic and he was in the pew every Sunday for mass. 

This is the first time an LPD officer has died since Officer George W. Welter died on February 9, 1968. 

The Herrera family released a statement. In the statement they wrote,”In the days after the shooting, we remained optimistic that Mario would recover and return to us as a husband and a father. When it became clear that it was not God’s will, we felt our church community lifting us in prayer,” family members said. “When we felt weak, they filled us with strength and courage. We could have never imagined the outpouring of support we would see across Nebraska and the country.”