24-year-old man charged in killing of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez
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North Kansas City cop dies in traffic stop shooting
The police officer shot during a traffic stop Tuesday in North Kansas City has died. The officer was identified as Daniel Vasquez, who had been on the force for two years, North Kansas City Police Chief Kevin Freeman said during a news conference. Clay County Prosecutor Dan White charged Joshua T. Rocha, 24, Wednesday with one count each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Vasquez.
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A Kansas City man was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez during a traffic stop late Tuesday morning.
Clay County Prosecutor Dan White charged Joshua T. Rocha, 24, Wednesday with one count each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Vasquez. He was being held on a $2 million bond in the Clay County jail and is scheduled to make his first appearance in court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Rocha could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole, White said during a news conference Wednesday morning outside the North Kansas City Police Department.
White said his plan is to get the investigation completed before deciding whether or not to seek the death penalty. In the past in cases like this, he wants to have the investigation and complete case file on his desk.
“I will then reach out to the family members of the victim and we’ll have those discussions,” he said. “I will then reach out to members of the North Kansas City Police Department and have those discussions about what they think the proper punishment will be.”
After that, he will meet with his staff before making the decision on whether to seek the death penalty.
Vasquez was shot about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday after he pulled over a gray Ford Taurus with a temporary Missouri tag that expired in 2018 near 21st Avenue and Clay Street in North Kansas City. Authorities allege Rocha left the vehicle during the stop and opened fire on Vasquez.
Vasquez died of his wounds at North Kansas City Hospital as he was being prepared to be moved to another hospital.
Rocha surrendered to Kansas City police after the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a statewide alert for the car and the apprehension of its driver.
White said he believed the $2 million bond was appropriate in this case.
“Shooting a police officer, in my opinion, is a clear indication that you’re a danger to the community,” he said.
Police recovered a weapon Tuesday using a search warrant, said Deputy Chief Mike Wood with the Kansas City Police Department, the agency handling the investigation. Officers were not releasing other information on the kind of weapon and are investigating if it was used in the shooting.
North Kansas City Police Department Chief Kevin Freeman thanked the community and outside agencies that responded to the killing for their support during this “very very hard time.”
Community members added flowers, candles and cards to Vasquez’s patrol car which sits as a memorial outside the police headquarters. They’re also donating to a fund created to raise money for Vasquez’s family.
“Unfortunately, there is no successful ending to the tragic death of Daniel Vasquez,” North Kansas City Mayor Bryant Long said. “Today’s announcement, though, is the first step in achieving any Justice for Daniel’s death.”
Freeman had described Vasquez as “a shining star” for the department.
Vasquez joined the department in January 2021 as a recruit and was promoted to full officer status after he graduated from the Regional Police Academy in July 2021.
Prior to joining the department, he worked for the Independence Avenue Community Improvement District, where he received special recognition for his service from his employer, according to a story from the Northeast News.
Vasquez is the first North Kansas City police officer killed in the line of duty.
Kansas City FOP Lodge 99 created a fundraiser for Vasquez’s funeral arrangements and other family assistance.
This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 12:01 PM.
