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Julian Becerra: Colorado police officer dies after falling 40ft from bridge while chasing carjacking suspect

Julian Becerra who had been with the Fountain Police Department for four and a half years, is survived by his wife Katie, son, 1, and daughter, 8

FOUNTAIN, COLORADO: A police officer, 35, reportedly died on Saturday, February 11, nine days after he fell 40 feet from a bridge while chasing a carjacking suspect. Julian Becerra, who had been with the Fountain Police Department for four and a half years, is survived by his wife, Katie, their son, 1, and daughter, 8.

Becerra was reportedly hospitalized in critical condition after the Thursday, February 2 fall. Fountain PD revealed in a release Friday morning, February 10, that the officer was on life support and was surrounded by family and friends. In an update on Saturday evening, the department confirmed that he died from his injuries.

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A wonderful father

David Alderman, Becerra's brother-in-law, described the fallen officer as a wonderful father. "Having two daughters of my own, I've actually gotten to learn a lot from him as far as being a dad," Alderman told two days after the fall, as per 9News.

Becerra reportedly sustained severe injuries while assisting the Colorado Department of Corrections' Parole Unit, which was chasing a carjacking suspect from the Pueblo area who had warrants. Police said the suspect was in a stolen vehicle, which they spotted near Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs. Following an on-and-off pursuit, the three suspects in the vehicle tried to carjack someone at a Love's Travel Plaza in Fountain.

Authorities chased the suspects north on Interstate 25 before their vehicle exited the interstate at South Academy Boulevard and police used stop sticks to disable it partially. The vehicle was finally stopped after Fountain officers employed several tactile maneuvers, but the driver reportedly got out and ran. Officers were trying to take the suspect into custody when Becerra reportedly fell over the bridge, police said. He was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition shortly after. 

Details unclear

The authorities are yet to provide details about what exactly led to Becerra's fatal fall. "Whether it was a fall or trip, a push, a slip, we really don't know. We're reviewing all the evidence that we have at the moment," Commander Mark Cristiani shared the day after the incident. The driver of the suspect vehicle reportedly attempted to jump off the bridge but officers grabbed him before falling. The suspect repeatedly said, "Let me go. I want to die," as quoted by the officers. The three suspects have since been identified as Devon Bobian, 31, Danisha Pacheco, 28, and Anthony Vallejos, 37.

“It is with extreme sadness that we at the Fountain Police Department notify the public that K-9 Officer Julian Becerra has succumbed to the injuries he suffered during an on-duty incident that occurred on February 2, 2023," Fountain PD shared in an update Saturday evening, February 11. "We appreciate the public’s outpouring of support over the past week for Officer Becerra, his family, and the Fountain Police Department. This is an evolving process, and the family is requesting privacy while they navigate the difficult task of planning for Julian’s final rest. The family has elected to not make any public statements at this time." They added, "If there are any further updates, they will be provided by the Fountain Police Department Public Information Officer. We appreciate your understanding and respect of our wishes and the wishes of the Becerra family. Officer Julian Becerra - End of Watch: Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 7:14 PM.”

A GoFundMe campaign launched to help Becerra's family with expenses revealed that the officer was an Air Force Veteran and is survived by his wife Katie, their one-year-old son, and their eight-year-old daughter. The fundraiser has raised over $55,000 of its $100,000 goal at the time of publication.