Spouse, parents of fallen Fountain police officer speak out after guilty verdict
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Days after a jury convicted Devon Bobian of murder in the death of Fountain police officer Julian Becerra, the fallen officer’s spouse and parents opened up to FOX31 about the guilty verdict.
Bobian was convicted on Monday, May 13 of second-degree murder, in addition to aggravated robbery, menacing, vehicular eluding and first-degree aggravated motor vehicle theft.
Auraria Campus: Pro-Palestine protest encampment abandoned
“Hearing the verdict, we had to relive a lot of the trauma, a lot of the hurt that we went through,” said Vanessa Becerra, the officer’s former spouse. “My daughter has lost an important person in her life, and a big piece of her heart that she can never get back.”
As she and her family were honoring the officer in Washington D.C., she learned of the verdict coming down.
“We were able to get some closure. Some type of closure and understanding,” she said.
Becerra’s father, Gabriel, opened up as well.
“We were happy. We know the verdict is not going to bring Officer Julian, my son, back, but justice is working its way up and let’s hope he gets justice,” said Gabriel.
Family recounts events of Feb. 2, 2023
The family still remembers learning the devastating news last year on Feb. 2. The K-9 officer of over four years responded to a robbery and carjacking, which led to a high-speed chase. As he attempted to apprehend Bobian, Becerra fell 40 feet from a bridge.
8-year-old girl recovering after motorcycle crash
He died days later in the hospital from his injuries, leaving behind a wife and his two young children.
“She [Isabella] created this bear for her dad a little bit after he passed,” said Vanessa. “She carries it with her every since. He’s always with her.”
8-year-old Isabella also carries around her stuffed K-9 and wears bracelets and a shirt honoring her father, who always made her smile.
“She wishes she could call him whenever she needs him, and that just isn’t the case anymore,” said Vanessa. “She misses him every day.”
To move forward, the family has relied on their faith.
“That’s one of the things that make it a little easier to move on because God is good, and Jesus is great,” Gabriel said.
The tragic situation will always have a profound impact on their lives. They hope Becerra’s legacy will continue to live on.
“He was a very funny person. He loved to make (Isabella) laugh,” Vanessa said. “He loved to joke around and he was just a very goofy loving person. A great dad, and a dedicated police officer.”
Thieves drill holes in Denver man’s tank to steal his fuel
Sentencing has not yet been set. Bobian, who has a long criminal history, will appear in court again in July.
“We need support for our police officers out there no matter what support them any way we can,” said Gabriel. “Moral, just by thanking them,”
Bobian is facing anywhere from 16 to 96 years in prison.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
