Friona Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Monday, April 14, 2003
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 104
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: April 13, 2003
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Sergeant Joe Herrera was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by a vehicle that was being chased by other officers.
Sergeant Herrera was off duty doing paperwork at the police station when he heard radio traffic of a chase coming towards Friona. He immediately got into his patrol car and headed towards the pursuit.
As he neared the pursuit, he pulled over onto the side of County Road N and activated his emergency lights. As the fleeing pickup truck approached from the opposite direction, the suspect swerved onto the side of the road and struck Sergeant Herrera's patrol car in the front corner and driver's side door, killing Sergeant Herrera instantly. The driver of the vehicle was seriously injured and put under police custody at a local hospital.
The suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Sergeant Herrera had served with the Friona Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, 10-year-old son, three daughters (ages two months, 4 years, and 11 years), parents, sister, and brother.