KENT, Wash. — A Washington state police officer who was recently killed in the line of duty collected safety agency patches to pass on to his young son.
The Kent, Washington, officer, Diego Moreno, was killed in a crash during pursuit of a suspect early Sunday morning.
Officials with the Kent Police Department said Moreno shared his patch collection with his young kids and told his son one day the collection would be handed down to him.
“Unfortunately, that day has come way too soon,” a Facebook post to the Kent police page reads.
Kent police are collecting patches from public safety agencies around the country to contribute to the fallen officer’s collection for his son.
If you would like to contribute a patch, please mail it to:
Kent Police Department,
Attn: Moreno Patch Collection,
220 4th Ave S. Kent, WA 98032
Scroll down to read more about Kent Officer Moreno.
Earlier coverage from Monday, July 23:
A Kent police officer was killed in the line of duty Sunday morning in a crash during pursuit of a suspect on State Route 516.
[ >> PHOTOS: Memorial grows for Kent officer killed in line of duty ]
Another police officer was seriously injured.
Family and friends confirmed on Sunday to KIRO 7’s Deborah Horne that the Kent officer killed was Officer Diego Moreno.
[ A GoFundMe account has been set up for Moreno's family. ]
Police were pursuing a suspect in a red truck, which witnesses identified as being involved in a shooting Sunday morning, near Shari’s Restaurant.
Officers chased the truck on westbound State Route 516 near Meeker Street. At one point, the truck made a U-turn and sped off.
While deploying spike strips, Officer Moreno was hit by a responding officer pursuing the suspect.
After the collision, the officer driving the patrol vehicle went on to crash into three cars parked nearby. Three bystanders suffered minor injuries in the initial collision.
The officer involved in the crash was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, officials said.
Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Barbara Clements confirmed that he was in satisfactory condition Monday morning.
Officials said the vehicle being pursued later crashed near State Route 167 and one person was arrested. WSP said they believe two other people inside the vehicle ran from the scene.
The two additional suspects were later arrested and all three suspects are now in custody.
Kent police said Officer Moreno was an eight-year veteran of the department. In his time on the force, he received two Lifesaving Awards and two Exceptional Duty Awards.
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
The injured officer is an 18-year veteran of the Kent Police Department and is currently recovering from severe injuries.
A post on the department's Facebook page about Officer Moreno read, “his contributions to our department, and positive impact on his co-workers and the community, have been significant.”
The city is hosting a community vigil Wednesday to honor Officer Moreno.
The vigil will take place at 7 p.m. in Town Square Plaza in downtown Kent, near Second and Harrison streets.
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