The Omaha Police Officers Association is heartbroken by the loss of one of our own Operation NETS (Neighborhood Engagement Through Sports) kids. Derrick Ashley, known to us simply as "Lil' D," was a fun-loving, basketball-obsessed 16-year-old from Omaha who lost his life in a traffic crash on July 4, 2026.
We first met Derrick in the summer of 2021. A few of our officers stopped to talk with a group of kids playing basketball in the street near his home. The hoop didn't even have a net, so the officers replaced it, brought the kids new basketball gear, and invited them to Operation NETS the very next evening. Derrick showed up. And he kept showing up. He wasn't the biggest kid on the court, but no one worked harder. He played with heart. He listened. He pushed himself. You could see a determination in him that couldn't be measured by a scoreboard.
Over the years, Derrick became part of our Operation NETS family. Our officers watched him grow from a kid playing basketball in the street into a young man who was beginning to believe in himself and his future. None of that happened alone. Derrick was surrounded by people who loved him, especially his mom. She was his biggest supporter, his loudest cheerleader, and she never stopped believing in her son. Anyone who spent time with them could see how much they loved each other. Derrick was her world, and she was always fighting to give him every opportunity to succeed.
Like many young people, Derrick faced challenges. But he never stopped working to build a better life. He had a team of people who believed in him, and more importantly, he was doing the hard work himself. He was becoming the success story everyone hoped for.
On July 4, 2026, Derrick's life was tragically cut short in a traffic crash. His loss has left a deep void in our community and in the hearts of all who knew him. We are raising funds to help cover funeral and burial expenses for Derrick, providing support to his family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for your prayers and support for Derrick's family and friends as they navigate this heartbreaking loss. Any contribution will help ease the burden and honor Derrick's memory.
We first met Derrick in the summer of 2021. A few of our officers stopped to talk with a group of kids playing basketball in the street near his home. The hoop didn't even have a net, so the officers replaced it, brought the kids new basketball gear, and invited them to Operation NETS the very next evening. Derrick showed up. And he kept showing up. He wasn't the biggest kid on the court, but no one worked harder. He played with heart. He listened. He pushed himself. You could see a determination in him that couldn't be measured by a scoreboard.
Over the years, Derrick became part of our Operation NETS family. Our officers watched him grow from a kid playing basketball in the street into a young man who was beginning to believe in himself and his future. None of that happened alone. Derrick was surrounded by people who loved him, especially his mom. She was his biggest supporter, his loudest cheerleader, and she never stopped believing in her son. Anyone who spent time with them could see how much they loved each other. Derrick was her world, and she was always fighting to give him every opportunity to succeed.
Like many young people, Derrick faced challenges. But he never stopped working to build a better life. He had a team of people who believed in him, and more importantly, he was doing the hard work himself. He was becoming the success story everyone hoped for.
On July 4, 2026, Derrick's life was tragically cut short in a traffic crash. His loss has left a deep void in our community and in the hearts of all who knew him. We are raising funds to help cover funeral and burial expenses for Derrick, providing support to his family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask for your prayers and support for Derrick's family and friends as they navigate this heartbreaking loss. Any contribution will help ease the burden and honor Derrick's memory.