Cop who shot teen an Iraq vet

The Omaha police officer who shot a 15-year-old is an Iraq war veteran who, in his short time on the Omaha force, already has received a commendation from the department, The World-Herald has learned.

Officer Josiah Warren, 27, was identified by several people familiar with the case.

They also said information they have indicates that Warren acted properly when he shot the teen following a traffic stop.

The shooting happened near 84th and F Streets about 4:20 p.m. Friday after the teen ran from the vehicle and fired at pursuing officers, police have said.

Police had pulled over a white Chevrolet sedan because an officer suspected the license plates were expired.

The youth, wounded in the chest according to initial radio reports, was rushed to the Nebraska Medical Center. He remained in critical but stable condition Saturday, police said, but was expected to live.

Authorities have not released the teen's name.

Warren is on administrative leave, standard procedure in shooting cases.

A member of the Nebraska Army National Guard, Warren has been on the police force since 2008.

In September 2006, near Tikrit, Iraq, Warren was wounded by a roadside bomb. He was commanding the lead military vehicle accompanying a 20-truck convoy from Camp Speicher back to home base at Camp Anaconda when his Humvee was hit on the driver's side by a roadside bomb. His vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, Warren grabbed an extinguisher and tried to put out the flames. He also tried to rescue another member of his squadron who later died in the vehicle.

Warren, a sergeant, received shrapnel wounds to the face and arms.

A World-Herald reporter and photographer met Warren at the 2006 funeral for his comrade, Sgt. Germaine L. Debro of Omaha.

Earlier this year, Warren and two other officers received the Police Lifesaving Medal for their actions on Dec. 22, 2008.

Responding to a domestic disturbance, Warren went to the aide of a woman, using a cloth to apply pressure to a wound on her neck. The woman was taken to the hospital and survived her injuries.

Two other men were arrested in connection with the Friday afternoon traffic stop.

Police said Saturday that Richard T. Holmes, 22, used an alias when he was arrested. Holmes was re-booked on suspicion of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, giving false information, obstructing and several misdemeanor warrants.

Charles M. Thompson, 20, was jailed on suspicion of possessing marijuana with intent to deliver. Thompson also was cited on suspicion of not having proof of insurance and no valid registration.

Police are conducting concurrent investigations, one by internal affairs and the other by the homicide unit. No other details were released Saturday.

World-Herald staff writer Andrew J. Nelson contributed to this report.

Contact the writer:

444-1336, leia.mendoza@owh.com

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