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Incident
Sergeant Joe Herrera was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by a vehicle that was being chased by other officers.
Sergeant Herrera was off duty doing paperwork at the police station when he heard radio traffic of a chase coming towards Friona. He immediately got into his patrol car and headed towards the pursuit.
As he neared the pursuit, he pulled over onto the side of County Road N and activated his emergency lights. As the fleeing pickup truck approached from the opposite direction, the suspect swerved onto the side of the road and struck Sergeant Herrera's patrol car in the front corner and driver's side door, killing Sergeant Herrera instantly. The driver of the vehicle was seriously injured and put under police custody at a local hospital.
The suspect was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Sergeant Herrera had served with the Friona Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 10-year-old son, three daughters (ages two months, 4 years, and 11 years), parents, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Herrera gave the Friona Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Friona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Herrera.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jose is the only officer of Friona Police Department remembered here.
Jose is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Jose is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jose is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 3 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 158th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jose was 31. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Jose had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jose was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jose had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jose was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jose had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 7.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Friona Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Friona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.