Kerrie Orozco, who was shot just one day before taking maternity leave to care for her premature daughter, was laid to rest on Tuesday with thousands watching.

Kerrie Orozco gave birth to her daughter three months prematurely on February 17th. Little Olivia Ruth was ready to come home after an extensive stay in the ICU, and her mother was ready bring her home.

But, while answering a call for backup, Kerrie Orozco was fatally shot by a man being arrested for a previous shooting.

Both Kerrie Orozco and her killer died.

Tuesday at Kerrie Orozco‘s funeral, hundreds of her colleagues attended the service and thousands more law enforcement officers and first responders, many of whom had traveled hundreds of miles, watched via video feed CenturyLink Center arena in downtown Omaha.

Kerrie Orozco was a seven year veteran on the Omaha police force and was a respected member of the team.

Father William Bond officiated Kerrie Orozco’s funeral and had this to say of the officer, wife, mother of Olivia, and stepmother of her husband’s two children, “That laughter is a part of who we are. I regret that I can’t give it to you as well, but know that’s a part of who Kerrie is. And her family truly wants this time of sorrow and tears to fade, and there to be a lasting smile for the contributions Kerrie’s made to the world.”

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said, “I can’t think of a better representative of our profession than Kerrie Orozco.”

Chief Schmaderer helped train Orozco when she was just a recruit and he revealed that he simply came to know her as a good friend.

He added, “She got people to look past the fact that she was a police officer. I see her legacy as that of breaking down barriers.”

Many of the officers said they would be sure her baby daughter knew just how amazing Kerrie Orozco was.

What do you think of the tragic death of Kerrie Orozco?