A Colorado police officer has died after sustaining critical injuries when he fell 40 feet from a bridge while pursuing carjacking suspects, according to officials.
Fountain Police Department Officer Julian Becerra, 35, was called to assist in the pursuit of a group of suspected carjackers Feb 2. just south of Colorado Springs, NBC News reported. Police made several attempts to apprehend the suspects for four hours, during which time one additional carjacking was attempted, according to the outlet. When police managed to disable the vehicle at around 8 p.m., the driver exited the car and began to flee across a bridge, prompting Becerra to follow. (RELATED: Thieves Carjack Ambulance, Elude Cops, Steal Tires, Escape)
At some point during the chase, Becerra fell 40 feet off the bridge, sustaining critical injuries when he landed in the riverbed, NBC reported.
“Whether it was a fall or trip, a push, a slip, we really don’t know. We’re reviewing all the evidence that we have at the moment,” Commander Mark Cristiani told KOAA News.
Becerra was airlifted to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition before being placed on life support and ultimately succumbing to his injuries nine days after his fall, The Gazette reported.
OFFICER BECERRA PROCESSION BEGINS: Agencies from all over Colorado are starting the procession for fallen Fountain Police Officer Julian Becerra. More than a hundred vehicles are participating. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/YGaftzw3n5
— Carl Winder KOAA (@CWinderKOAA) February 12, 2023
“This is a tough time for our city. And I want all of our police officers and first responders to know we are standing with them and by them, and are so honored and proud of their service to our community,” Fountain Mayor Sharon Thompson shared in a statement, according to KOAA news.
The Fountain Police Department held a procession for Becerra as his body was transported from the hospital to the County Coroner’s office in Colorado Springs, NBC News reported.
“We appreciate the public’s outpouring of support over the past week for Officer Becerra, his family and the Fountain Police Department. This is an evolving process, and the family is requesting privacy while they navigate the difficult task of planning for Julian’s final rest. The family has elected to not make any public statements at this time,” the police department said in a statement, according to KOAA.
Becerra had been with the police force for four-and-a-half years and was a veteran of the Air Force. He is survived by his wife and two children, NBC reported.
Officers were able to apprehend the driver of the vehicle before he attempted to jump off the bridge, as well as two other suspects, KOAA reported. The suspects are identified as Devon Bobian (31), Danisha Pacheco (28) and Anthony Vallejos (37). Police arrested Bobian and Vallejos on multiple active felony warrants, along with multiple felony charges related to the pursuit. Pacheco was arrested on multiple felony charges also in connection with the chase, the outlet reported.