Hundreds of mourners gathered in an Omaha church — with several thousand more and at an arena nearby — to pay their respects this morning (Tuesday) for Iowa native and Omaha Police Officer Karrie Orozco.The 29-year-old new mother was fatally shot in the line of duty last week in a shootout with a wanted man, who was also killed. Dozens of law officers were called to attention as Officer Orozco’s flag-draped casket was brought to St. John’s Catholic Church in the midst of a steady rain.

In a tradition that dates back centuries for a fallen comrade, a riderless horse was escorted to the steps of the church, as the rows of uniformed officers saluted. The church on the Creighton University campus holds about 700 people and it was packed for the service. Hundreds of law officers from Nebraska, Iowa and elsewhere were part of the overflow crowd that watched the funeral on the jumbotron T-Vs at the CenturyLink Center in downtown Omaha. The Reverend William Bond, of St. Joseph’s Parish, was among the speakers. Reverend Bond said the very large crowd was assembled for a series of reasons.

“Perhaps the reason so many people are here is respect,” Bond said. “All of you who are here to show your respect for Kerrie and for all of our law enforcement officials and other first responders who place their lives in danger every day to protect and promote the common good.” He called Orozco a servant of God who made prayer a part of her daily routines, including in her squad car.

“Oh, God, hear our prayers on behalf of your servant, Kerrie, whom you have called out of this world,” Bond said, “and because she put her hope and trust in you, command that she be carried safely home to heaven and come to enjoy your eternal reward.” Reverend Bond had performed the wedding service for Officer Orozco and her husband, Hector. Bond thanked the hundreds of law officers in attendance for their service.

“I do want all of our police and law enforcement officers and first responders to know, we respect each one of you,” Bond said. “We know that all of you, every day you go to work, show yourselves willing to make that ultimate sacrifice for us.” Orozco was laid to rest in a dark blue coffin, with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Council Bluffs.

Orozco is the first female police officer to die in the line of duty in Omaha history. She was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while serving an arrest warrant. Orozco was a Walnut, Iowa, native and a resident of Council Bluffs. She was married and had three children. Her daughter, Olivia, was born premature on February 17th and had been hospitalized since birth. The infant was due to be released from the hospital the day after the shooting, the same day Orozco was to begin her maternity leave.

Orozco was on the police force more than seven years. She coached baseball since 2009 in the North Omaha Boys and Girls Club, she volunteered with the Special Olympics, she was president of the Police Officers’ Ball to benefit the Special Olympics, she took in rescue dogs and she was a Girl Scout mentor. Omaha’s police chief called Orozco a treasured member of the department and her death is tragedy.

(Radio Iowa)

One Atlantic resident was arrested on drug charges, Monday, while another was arrested for burglary and theft. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 21-year old Leslie Kay Paulsen, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Possession of Marijuana (Serious). Paulsen was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on her own recognizance. And 20-year old Nicholas Wayne Renner, of Atlantic, was arrested on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Burglary 3rd Degree and Theft 3rd Degree. Renner was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $7,000 bond.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said two people were arrested Saturday. 21-year old Rachael Victoria Christman, of Des Moines, was taken into custody on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Christman was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on her own recognizance. And, 58-year old Bruce Emanuel Petterson,  of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Interference with Official Acts (Simple). Petterson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled not guilty and was released the following day.
Last Friday, Cass County Deputies arrested 19-year old Emily Shelby Green, of Council Bluffs, on two District Court warrants for Failure to Appear. Green was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on $1,500 bond. And, on May 21st, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 54-year old Stefan Michael Greelis, of Omaha, NE, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Theft 2nd Degree (D Felony), Eluding (D Felony), and Driving While Revoked (Serious); and a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Greelis was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $17,000 bond.

A public hearing will be held at the Atlantic High School Wednesday evening, with regard to an amendment to the 2014-15 Atlantic School District Budget. During the hearing, which will take place in the High School Media Center at 7:30-p.m., the Board of Education will hear from district patrons who may speak for or against the amendment.

Following the hearing, the Board will enter into a work session, during which they will act on approving the 2014-15 Budget Amendment, along with: a reduction in the Force List for Non-Certified Staff, and the employment of a High School English teacher.

The Board will also discuss the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) vote for the Sept., 2015 ballot, and they’ll receive presentations with regard to the Iowa Assessments and Lindamood Bell learning processes program.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer says he’s glad people got to know slain Officer Kerrie Orozco in the past week after her death. Schmaderer spoke at the 29-year old Orozco’s funeral today (Tuesday), less than a week after she was killed while trying to arrest a suspect on a warrant.

Officer Kerrie Orozco (Omaha P-D Facebook page image)

Schmaderer says that Orozco was an excellent example of his profession who had a talent for connecting with people as a human being, not just as an officer. Orozco was active in the community, and volunteered to coach a youth baseball team at the Boys & Girls Club. The players on that team attended the funeral.

Schmaderer says he believes Orozco’s legacy will be breaking down barriers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Legislative leaders are back in the Iowa Capitol trying to resolve their budget differences so they can adjourn for the year. After the holiday weekend, a handful of lawmakers reported for duty Tuesday. Leaders and some committee chairs were set to continue budget negotiations.

The Republican-led House and Democratic-majority Senate must determine an overall spending level and how much new money to provide to K-12 education. Democrats are seeking to spend more than Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says the two sides moved closer last week.

Rep. Chuck Soderberg, a Le Mars Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, says they were making progress and that it was a good sign that “all parties were at the table.”