The public is invited to line the funeral procession route for a longtime Papillion police officer who died suddenly last week.Â
A funeral service for Lt. Raymond "Ray" Higgins will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 324 Jackson St., Papillion. Following the service, Higgins will be taken to Cedar Dale Cemetery for burial.Â
A Papillion police spokesman said the public is invited to line the procession route to the cemetery. It will leave the church and head east on Lincoln Street before turning north on 84th Street.
The procession will then turn east on First Street in order to pass the police department. It will then turn south on 72nd Street and west on Cedardale Road to the cemetery.Â
Higgins, 57, died unexpectedly July 3 in Papillion. He grew up in Papillion, graduating from Papillion-La Vista High School in 1984. He continued his education at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska, where in 1986 he received an associate degree in electrical engineering.Â
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's loss at Indiana
‘It’s all there, it’s just not there’: Searched on I-80 in York for $15 worth of marijuana
Pink concert at Lincoln arena postponed, officials say
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen faces backlash after casting abortion ads as 'misinformation'
Husker notes: Matt Rhule explains his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of season
Cover Five: Questions abound as a stunned Matt Rhule apologizes for Nebraska's latest loss
Nebraska football's home game against UCLA gets time, TV designation
Dan Osborn leads Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer by 2 points in latest poll
Luke's Extra Points: An ill-timed fumble, a costly kickoff mistake, Rhule takes blame
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
Nebraska high school football rankings, Oct. 21
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Here we go again, Nebraska? Not so fast, says Matt Rhule, who resists ‘panic’
Amie Just: As Indiana surges toward the CFP, Nebraska is left searching for answers
He joined the Papillion Police Department in 1988, rising to the rank of lieutenant in 2021. He also served as a volunteer for the Papillion and Springfield volunteer fire departments. Â
Listen now and subscribe: | | | | |
"Ray's greatest passion in life was to serve others and was sworn into Papillion Police Department in November of 1988 where he served and protected his community until his death," according to a press release. "During his 34 years on the police department, he served in the capacity of accident investigation and re-creation, fire investigator, member of the Metro Area Task Force."
Higgins, who also ran a lawn service, spent the majority of his law enforcement career working road patrol. During his time with the department, he attended several classes specializing in the areas of accident investigation and fire investigation.
With Gail, his wife of 27 years, Higgins enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida, and camping. He loved attending NASCAR races and following the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL.Â
In addition to his wife, Higgins is survived by his parents, Richard and Beverly Higgins; sisters, Judi Dort and Terri Hasiak; sister-in-law, Linda Wagner; brother-in-law, Norm “Bruce†Wagner; and children, Jessica Ohren and Daniel Ohren; grandson, Vincent Ohren; niece, Brooke Fallas Quiros; and his faithful dog, Max. Â
Download the new Lincoln Journal Star app.Â
Photos, videos: Police, public pay respects to fallen officer Herrera
Herrera Funeral, 9.12
Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera's motorcycle-drawn hearse passes under the American flag held aloft by Lincoln Fire & Rescue Trucks 1 and 5 at O Street and Centennial Mall.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Watch now: Funeral procession for Mario Herrera
Herrera funeral 9.12
The motorcycle-drawn hearse carrying Officer Mario Herrera's remains is saluted by officers from other counties and states at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sept. 12.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Herrera funeral 9.12
The motorcycle-drawn hearse carrying the body of Mario Herrera arrives at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The funeral processional for Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera arrives at Calvary Cemetery for a private burial on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The Lincoln Police Department honor guard bugler plays Taps during the burial of fallen Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday at Calvary Cemetery.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The Lincoln Police Department honor guard bugler plays Taps during the burial of fallen Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Lincoln Police Department officers gather at Calvary Cemetery for Saturday's private burial service for investigator Mario Herrera.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
A rifle salute honors fallen Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A man places his hand on the police cruiser honoring fallen Officer Mario Herrera before he enters Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Lincoln police officers gather at the burial site of fallen Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday at Calvary Cemetery.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The Lincoln Police Department honor guard fires off a rifle salute during the burial of Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday at Calvary Cemetery.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The motorcade carrying Mario Herrera is met by officers from other counties and states at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A sheriff's deputy leaves his hat on the hood of his car during a funeral ceremony for fallen LPD officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Patrons watch the funeral services for Mario Herrera in the Railyard near Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A small shrine is set up for officer Mario Herrera near a Lincoln Police Department cruiser outside of Pinnacle Bank Arena, where the funeral for fallen officer Mario Herrera was held Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Officers salute the motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A sheriffs deputy from Iowa wears black tape over his badge with No. 1205 in honor of fallen Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera, whose funeral was held Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Officers make their way inside Pinnacle Bank Arena after saluting the motorcade during a funeral ceremony for fallen Lincoln officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
The motorcade carrying fallen officer Mario Herrera is met by officers from other counties and states at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Lincoln police officers arrive at Pinnacle Bank Arena before the funeral ceremony for fallen LPD officer Mario Herrera.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Officers make their way inside Pinnacle Bank Arena for Mario Herrera's funereal service Saturday morning.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Members of the public watch Officer Mario Herrera's funeral service in the Railyard on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
People pray while watching the funeral service for fallen LPD Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Two officers wait on a bench before the funeral ceremony for fallen LPD Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Officer's in formal dress make their way down a row of cop cars during a funeral ceremony for fallen LPD Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A UNL Police officer waits for the motorcade carrying LPD Officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
An officer walks to his position to salute the motorcade as it arrives at Pinnacle Bank Arena before Saturday's funeral for fallen officer Mario Herrera.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
An officer takes a photo in front of the Railyard during a funeral ceremony for fallen Lincoln officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
A sheriff's officer smokes a cigarette while waiting for the motorcade before Saturday's funeral ceremony for fallen LPD officer Mario Herrera.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral 9.12
Officers wait for the motorcade to arrive before a funeral ceremony for fallen LPD officer Mario Herrera on Saturday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
The motorcycle-drawn hearse carrying the remains of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera is seen outside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
The motorcycle-drawn hearse carrying the remains of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera is seen outside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
The motorcycle-drawn hearse carrying the remains of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera is seen outside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
The funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera is seen outside Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
The funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera is seen near Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
People exit Pinnacle Bank Arena after the funeral for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
A man is seen with flags outside Pinnacle Bank Arena ahead of the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera Funeral, 9.12
Spectators pay respects as the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera moves east on O Street on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Herrera Funeral, 9.12
Lincoln firefighters stand at attention in front of Lincoln Fire and Rescue Truck 1 as the procession for Lincoln Police Department Officer Mario Herrera passes in front of them on Saturday at the intersection of Centennial Mall and O Street.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Lincoln Journal Star
Watch now: Funeral procession for Mario Herrera reaches cemetery
Herrera funeral 9.12
An American flag is slightly obscured by fog Saturday morning.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Watch now: Motorcade goes past Lincoln High for LPD officer's funeral
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Robin Keralis holds an American flag as the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera passes.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Barrett Nitz, 15, holds a flag as the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera passes.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Joslyn Dvorak, 8, Dylan Dvorak, 6, Dana Dvorak and Jenna Dvorak gather for the funeral procession of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday morning.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Spectators are out to pay respect as the funeral procession of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera passes through on Saturday morning.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Community members pay their respects as the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera passes.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Watch now: People pay tribute to Mario Herrera in front of arena
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Lincoln Police cruisers are among the funeral procession of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Watch now: Processional arrives for LPD officer's funeral
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Police motorcycles lead the funeral procession for Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral, 9.12
Police motorcycles lead the funeral procession of Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Herrera funeral
Police cars line up ahead of the funeral procession for fallen Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera on Saturday.
Alex Lantz
Herrera Funeral, 9.12
Officers line up along Pinnacle Arena Drive as they await the chance to salute fallen Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera as his funeral procession drives by Saturday morning.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Herrera Funeral, 9.12
Officers line up along Pinnacle Arena Drive as they await the chance to salute fallen Lincoln officer Mario Herrera as his funeral procession drives by Saturday morning.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter
Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.