Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 1, 1997
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 2 days
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: March 26, 1997
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Denied parole in 2004
Police Officer Ron DeHerrera succumbed to injuries he received when his patrol car was struck by a stolen vehicle on March 26, 1997.
Officer DeHerrera and his partner were heading to the scene of a car prowler as the suspect was heading in their direction in a stolen Ford Mustang. The suspect struck their patrol car at an estimated speed of 95 mph at the intersection of 19th Street and Federal Boulevard in Denver.
Officer DeHerrera was in the passenger seat and suffered massive head and internal injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on April 1, 1997. The other officer suffered minor injuries and made a full recovery.
The 17-year-old suspect was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to 9 years. He was denied parole for the fourth time in January 2004.
Officer DeHerrera had just graduated from the academy the day before the incident.