A sports field in North Omaha is now dedicated in honor of fallen Officer Kerrie Orozco.
Officials held the dedication at Millar Park in a ceremony on Thursday with the help from the Kansas City Chiefs, Hyvee, Coca-Cola, and the Police Athletics for Community Engagement program, who Officer Orozco volunteered for.
“Kerrie was always motivated, and always motivated the kids, and that is what we want, we want to break down those barriers and kids know we are real people,” said PACE founder Antonio Espejo.
Officer Orozco coached her team at Miller park with the PACE program.
In support of her passion for youth activity, the Kansas City Chiefs and Play60 held a football clinic for PACE players.
The young athletes got to meet, and even play with former Chief’s linebacker Anthony Davis.
“He signed my shirt for me,” said Greg Moore, who was star-struck by Davis’ presence.
Espejo, who is also an officer with the OPD gang unit, said the kids usually only play soccer and baseball, but they will take any way to get them active.
“If kids are busy doing good things, then they are not going to be busy doing bad things, so what we do is try to keep neighborhoods together, and keep them doing something positive,” he said.
He said the Park will have extra meaning to it with Officer Orozco’s name on it.
“It is always going to be Kerrie Orozco Park, and when people ask who was she, what did she do, after time people are going to forget, but there will always be that original group of kids who will remember who much dedication she had to them.”
In the past year the park has been revamped with help from the Chiefs, Hyvee, and Coke. Espejo said they want a safe place for the kids to play.
“We brought this baseball field back to life,” he said
