The Fountain Police Department (FPD) in Colorado announced the loss of one of their officers, Julian Becerra, following injuries he received while on-duty.
FPD thanked the public for their support, stating “We appreciate the public’s outpouring of support over the last week for Officer Becerra, his family and the Fountain Police Department.”
Becerra, 35, a member of the FPD K9 Unit, reportedly fell from a 40 foot bridge on Feb. 2 while attempting to apprehend individuals suspected of carjacking.
Becerra was a veteran of the United States Air Force and had been employed by the department for almost five years. He was taken to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs following the incident but succumbed to his injuries nine days later.
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Becerra was laid to rest in a private ceremony. According to his obituary, he was born in Chiwawa, Mexico and leaves behind his wife and two young children.
According to KOAA News, Becerra’s passing has been noted nationally, with Zechariah Cartledge, a teenager from South Florida, hosting a mile-long run while carrying a ‘thin blue line’ flag. Cartledge is the founder of the non-profit Running 4 Heroes. Cartledge runs one mile for every first responder who passes in the line of duty, then donates the flag carried during the run to the first responder’s family. Funds donated to Running 4 Heroes are given to several charities and causes related to law enforcement and first responders.
Accirding to 11 News, three suspects involved in the incident were booked and placed into custody following a struggle after a suspect exited the suspected stolen vehicle.
In a press conference made after Becerra’s fall, officials said “We really don’t have a lot of clarity on how Officer Becerra fell over the side. A fall, a trip, a push, a slip, we don’t really know.”
