Sergeant Jose Arturo "Joe" Herrera, Friona Police Department, Texas

Sergeant Jose Arturo "Joe" Herrera

Friona Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Monday, April 14, 2003

Jose Arturo "Joe" Herrera

Sergeant 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 been employed with the Friona Police Department for five years, and was survived by his wife, 10-year-old son, three daughters (ages two months, 4 years, and 11 years), parents, sister, and brother.

Bio

Age 31
Tour 5 years
Badge 104

Incident Details

Cause Vehicular assault
Incident Date Sunday, April 13, 2003
Weapon Automobile
Offender Sentenced to life

Most Recent Reflection

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I recently saw a "Survivor" license plate on a vehicle in San Angelo TX., I was able to speak with Sgt. Herrera's father, the driver of the vehicle, who related with understandable grief the incident causing the death of Sgt. Herrera.
Sgt. Herrera, you are one of the heroes in law enforcement. Rest in peace, my brother.
My brother Gary O. Elkins was killed in an ambush shooting as a Long Beach Police Officer, January 1, 1976.

Patrol Officer Keith E. Elkins
Long Beach Ca. Police and San Angelo Tx. Police (Retired)

April 10, 2018