An Omaha Police officer will receive a high honor in Washington, D.C. Next week.
Officer Coral Walker will receive the U.S. Department of Justice Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor during a ceremony Monday. Walker will receive the Medal of Valor for his actions on June 15, 2013 when he stopped a shooting rampage in South Omaha. Jorge Abraham Zarazua-Rubio randomly shot four innocent people during the rampage. Victims Pascual Bautista-Raymundo and Anthony Vazzano died as a result of Zarazua-Rubio's indiscriminate gunfire. Victims Aaron Anderson and Angel Cabrera were also injured during Zarazua-Rubio's shooting spree.
Officer Walker encountered Zarazua-Rubio at Dahlman Avenue and F Street. Walker and Zarazua-Rubio exchanged gunfire. Officer Walker's cruiser was struck several times by gunfire. Zarazua-Rubio was stuck by gunfire during the exchange. He later died at the hospital.
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said "other innocent lives would have been lost had Officer Coral Walker not fatally shot the suspect. The suspect was armed with a .45-caliber handgun and had two additional loaded magazines. He was walking toward the area of a busy business hub before Officer Walker engaged him."
