Colorado Police Dies After Falling Off of Bridge During an Arrest

According to authorities, a Colorado police officer who had fallen 40 feet from a bridge while apprehending suspects in a carjacking case had died.

The Fountain Police Department announced in a press release on Saturday, February 11, that Officer Julian Becerra, who had been hospitalized since his fall on February 2, had passed away, The Sacramento Bee reports.

He attempted to arrest three Pueblo men suspected of carjacking after they had given police a long pursuit when he fell off a bridge in Colorado Springs.

Police reported his death with "extreme sadness," they stated. Becerra, a K-9 officer for the Fountain Police Department, served in the United States Air Force for nearly five years.

A GoFundMe page for the Becerra family states that he is survived by his wife and two young children, an 8-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old boy.

As of Sunday, February 12, the account has accumulated $58,000.

City of Fountain Mayor Reacts Following the Death of a Colorado Police

At a news conference on Sunday, February 12, the City of fountain Mayor, Sharon Thompson, said the city would be forever thankful to fallen Colorado police Julian Becerra.

"This is a very tough time for our city, and I want all our police officers and first responders to know we are standing with them and by them and are so honored and proud of their service to our community," said Mayor Thompson. "May God bless Julian Becerra and his family."

Mayor Thompson addressed the spike in violent crime that is all around in their communities in a public statement, as well as what may be done to protect public safety, Fox 21 noted.

"The suspects that Officer Becerra was pursuing the night he was gravely injured were repeat felons with multiple active warrants for their arrest," stated Mayor Thompson." They should never have been out on the streets in the first place."

Thompson blamed the "lack of accountability in our justice system and failed bail reform initiatives."

She also blamed state legislation that drastically cuts punishments for charges linked to heinous crimes, which further 'empowers' criminals, as well as the availability of illegal narcotics, for the increase in crime.

Thompson called the current environment "thriving conditions for emboldened criminals."

What Happened During the Arrest that Leads to Colorado Police Death?

Police reported that on February 2 at around 4 p.m., they were summoned to help the Department of Corrections locate three carjacking suspects who had fled the scene.

Fountain Police Commander Mark Cristiani said the suspects attempted to steal another vehicle before police disabled their vehicle at 8 p.m. near a Colorado Springs bridge.

Cristiani claimed that Becerra went after the fleeing vehicle and plunged off the bridge into the river below. The police also said the suspect tried to leap off the bridge during the pursuit, but authorities caught him just in time.

Meanwhile, the Colorado police, Becerra, a four-year department veteran, was put on life support on Friday, said The New York Post.

Becerra's brother-in-law referred to him as "simply a lovely man" in the days following his death.

David Alderman said he had learned much about being a good parent and husband from watching Alderman.

Police claimed they had arrested suspects Devon Bobian, 31, Danisha Pacheco, 28, and Anthony Vallejos, 37, in connection with the car chase.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fountain police officer dies 10 days after falling from bridge - From CBS Colorado