An Colorado police officer died Saturday after falling 40 feet from a bridge while attempting to apprehend carjacking suspects, multiple outlets reported.
“It is with extreme sadness that we at the Fountain Police Department notify the public that K-9 Officer Julian Becerra has succumbed to the injuries he suffered during an on-duty incident,” a statement from the Fountain Police Department said Saturday evening.
“End of Watch: Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 7:14 PM,” the brief statement concluded.
Becerra had been on life support and was surrounded by family and friends when he passed, 9 News reported.
Law enforcement officers and first responders held a procession Saturday night to honor the fallen officer, KOAA News5 reported. He had been with the department for 4 1/2 years.
The solemn procession escorted the fallen officer from the hospital to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, Fox 31 reported.
The incident occurred February 2 on Interstate 25 at South Academy bridge after police were engaged in an “on-and-off pursuit” that began near Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs, according to 9 News.
“We really don’t have a lot of clarity on how Officer Becerra fell over the side,” officials said in a press conference following the incident. “A fall, a trip, a push, a slip, we really don’t know.”
“The driver jumped out of the vehicle and began to run from officers on foot. While officers were trying to apprehend the suspect, an FPD Officer fell over the bridge and landed 40 feet below,” a February 3 release from Fountain Police Department says.
“The suspect attempted to jump off the bridge to elude officers at which time the officers grabbed him to prevent his escape and fall. As the suspect was hanging over the bridge he repeatedly stated, ‘let me go, I want to die,’” the statement continues.
“The officers were able to pull him up to safety and place him into custody without incident,” the release also said.
Officials took three suspects into custody and booked them into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. The two men, 31-year-old Devon Bobian and 37-year-old Anthony Vallejos, both of Pueblo, had active felony warrants and additional charges related to the February 2 incident. The third occupant of the vehicle, 28-year-old Danisha Pacheco of Pueblo, was arrested on numerous felony charges, FPD said.
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