Shovels were turned on Wednesday afternoon marking the beginning of major renovations at Kerrie Orozco Memorial Ballfield at Omaha's Miller Park near 24th and Kansas.
$1.5 million in private donations will transform the field into a state-of-the-art baseball facility. The project includes a newly turfed field, scoreboard, fencing, dugouts, bleachers and lights.
The ballfield is named in memory of fallen Omaha Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was shot and killed in the line of duty nearly three years ago. Orozco was also actively involved in coaching youth leagues in and mentoring.
Members of Orozco's family, police officers and city leaders were on hand for Wednesday afternoon's emotional groundbreaking ceremony.
"I want to thank Kerrie's mom Ellen and her husband hector for sharing Kerrie with the world. She was a special woman and we love her to death and we miss her," Sergeant Eric Fox said. "She was a special person. There's not too many people in the world, especially in Omaha, that are not here today that can bring us together like this to celebrate."
The goal is to start construction the first of May and have the project completed by the end of summer.