A bond strengthened through tragedy

On May 20, 2015, Omaha, Neb., Police officer Kerrie Orozco was gunned down while helping serve a felony arrest warrant. She was filling in on a unit with Bob Laney, a detective in the Omaha Police Department’s Fugitive Task Force.

The pair didn’t know each other prior to that day but became fast friends in their short time together. Her sudden death resonated with both Bob and his family, including his son Connor, a pitcher for Omaha Post 1’s American Legion Baseball team. But from that death came an even bigger appreciation for Connor’s relationship with his father.

Connor said Orozco’s death “hit really hard. I remember one night I was lying in bed. It was probably midnight and my dad was already in bed. All of the sudden there was this big fear over me – I could not see my dad after again after he goes into work.”

Connor said his dad is philosophical when it comes to the dangers of his job. “He says how it’s all part of a plan,” he said. “’If it happens, it’s for a reason, but I’m going to be safe (and) I’m going to do all that I can to make sure that I come back safely.’

“But it’s definitely scary knowing that my dad could go into work and not come back.”

Bob, who played college baseball, sharing that love with his son became even more important after Orozco’s death. “It made baseball even more special,” he said. “That had always been our bond. It used to be like it was my job to get him to play and help him get better. Now it’s just so much more. It’s a pleasure for me to do it: every game I get to see or go to him with a practice. I’m just blessed to have that. It could have been taken from me.”

Connor chose to remember Orozco by wearing her initials on his hat last season. This year he had the words “carry on” written inside his hat to keep her memory and remind him of his dad. “It helps me to know that at any second my dad can be taken and understand that this is special for him to be here,” Connor said. “It’s kind of like enjoy this moment because you never know when it will be taken from you.”

The baseball community also rallied around Orozco’s death, honoring her family at games. “She actually helped run and coach Little League baseball games for inner-city kids who would usually not play,” Bob said. “Seeing her do that, and then Connor carrying it on and as good as the community has been, it’s just extremely heartwarming to see that.”