KANSAS CITY —The suspect accused in the death of a Kansas City police officer made his first court appearance on Thursday.
Officials in Clay County asked North Kansas officers if they would like to escort murder suspect Joshua Rocha from the Clay County jail to his arraignment. North Kansas City Police Sgt. J. Holm put fallen Officer Daniel Vasquez’s handcuffs on the man charged with killing him.
Joshua Rocha, 24, of Kansas City, was charged in the death of Officer Vasquez, 32, who was killed Tuesday during a traffic stop. He is being held on a $2 million bond.
According to a probable cause statement, Rocha told police after his arrest that he shot the officer because he didn't want to go to jail or have his vehicle towed.
Rocha told police he was on his way to buy ammunition for a rifle he had in the vehicle when he was stopped.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Rocha could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Mike Wood, deputy chief of the Kansas City police department, which is conducting the investigation, said Rocha owned the vehicle he was driving. He was not aware of any previous contact between Vasquez and Rocha, who does not have an extensive criminal record. Rocha is scheduled to return to court on July 28, according to online jail records.
Funeral service information for Vasquez was announced Thursday. There will be a public visitation Tuesday, July 26, from 5-9 p.m. at the Vineyard Church at 12300 NW Arrowhead Trafficway in KCMO. The funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 27, at 9 a.m. at Vineyard Church.
If attending the public visitation on Tuesday, July 26, or funeral services Wednesday, July 27, you must enter from U.S. 169 South.
For community members who would like to show support to the Vasquez Family and North Kansas City Police Department but are unable to attend the service, there will be a procession immediately following the funeral services on Wednesday, July 27. The procession will leave from Vineyard Church at 12300 NW Arrowhead Trafficway in KCMO and proceed down U.S. 169 South to MO 9 South, to Armour Road, to I-29/35 North, to Antioch North, to 64th Street E., to White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
Parking will be restricted along Armour Road. However, parking on side streets will be permitted.