Dozens give blood to honor fallen Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — One after the other, Lincoln police officers and firefighters filed into the firehouse off of Pine Lake Road on Friday morning to donate blood.

The blood drive started the 12 Days of Hope, a period to honor fallen LPD Investigator Mario Herrera.

Herrera served for 23 years on the force before he was shot in the line of duty in 2020 while serving a warrant.

“We see tragedy every day,” said Capt. Nancy Crist of Lincoln Fire & Rescue. “Police officers, firefighters, we see things happen. It just reiterates the importance of people just getting on the schedule, continuing to give blood and to keep those banks full, so when events happen, there’s a reserve.”

Aug. 26 marks two years since Herrera was shot, but the 12 Days of Hope are in remembrance of his life.

Through the blood transfusions he received, Herrera was able to spend 12 more days with loved ones after being shot.

Those 12 days are held dear by Mario’s wife, Carrie, and the Herrera family.

“It means so much to Carrie and her family,” Crist said. “She just really talked about how incredible it was to have that time to spend with him and to talk to him. I know that it means the world to her.”

The Nebraska Community Blood Bank says the need for blood is urgent.

Organizers say the blood gathered today is for the crisis or emergency tomorrow. The blood bank usually only has a one- or two-day supply of any particular blood type.

“Nebraska Community Blood Bank needs support throughout the year, all the time,” said Sgt. Chris Vollmer of the Lincoln Police Department. “But these 12 days are a nice highlight to Officer Herrera and the struggle and the battle that he had from the time of his incident to as he was attempting to recover. We’re very grateful for all the support and care that he got during those 12 days and just wanted to highlight that as we are continuing to try and build the stock of the community blood bank.”

The blood drive and the 12 Days of Hope are being hosted by the blood bank.

As of two days ago, organizers were worried because 30 spots at the blood drive were still open, but all were claimed by Friday morning.

Sixty-nine donors came through over the course of five hours.

And this blood drive is only the start of the memorial.

You still have an opportunity to be a part of the good cause, with another blood drive on Sept. 7.

This time, the Lincoln Police Department will be hosting the drive outside its headquarters at 10th and K Streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.