LIBERTY, Mo. — A St. Charles-based jury recommended Joshua Rocha be sentenced to death for the 2022 murder of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez.
Jurors needed less than a day to deliberate on the sentencing, in which they were tasked with determining whether Rocha would serve the rest of his life in prison or face the death penalty.
A Clay County Circuit Court judge set a Nov. 24, 2025, date for formal sentencing.
Rocha admitted to killing Vasquez during a traffic stop in 2022.
Earlier this month, jurors found Rocha guilty of first-degree murder.
Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson held a brief press conference after court adjourned Wednesday morning.
He was joined by members of Vasquez's family, other prosecutors, and Kevin Freeman, the chief of police for the North Kansas City Police Department.
"Today’s verdict makes clear he will not escape justice," Thompson said. "I think the message that is sent is that if you commit the ultimate crime in Clay County, you will face the full weight of the law."
Both Vasquez's and Rocha's family members were present Wednesday, but none of them wanted to speak on camera.
Thompson spoke on behalf of Vasquez's family during the conference.
"They want the community to know they appreciate everything that has been done for them," Thompson said. "He was more than a police officer. He was a son, he was a brother, he was an uncle, he was a friend, whose heart was as big as his smile."
Though Wednesday's verdict brought an end to a lengthy trial, the community's mourning is ongoing.
Freeman shared that Vasquez's death is the only line-of-duty death the police department has ever had.
"Nothing can bring back Danny, but we're happy justice was served today," Freeman said. "We can only hope to use this as a time to move forward and continue to serve with courage amongst the citizens of North Kansas City like he did."
This is a developing story and will be updated.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson covers neighborhoods in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. Share your story idea with Rachel.
