KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A judge ordered the man convicted of murder in the killing of a North Kansas City police officer to receive the death penalty.

In early October, a Clay County jury determined that Joshua Rocha should be sentenced to death . On Monday, a judge agreed on the sentence.

Rocha was convicted of killing North Kansas City Ofc. Daniel Vasquez in 2022.

Rocha’s defense tried to argue for a new trial, but that was denied. Joshua Rocha gave an apology speech before the judge made the ruling, apologizing numerous times, fighting back tears and saying that he regretted his actions. He also said he accepted full responsibility for his actions, even if it meant being sentenced to death.

This was the first on-duty death in department history. North Kansas City Police Chie

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