El Paso County sheriff's Deputy Peter Herrera died Sunday evening, two days after he was shot during a traffic stop.

Herrera's death at an El Paso hospital was a shock because it appeared that he had been doing well and had been responsive after undergoing surgeries, Sheriff Richard Wiles said.

"We were just praying and hoping for the best and it just wasn't meant to be," Wiles said at a somber news conference Sunday night.

Herrera died at about 5:35 p.m. at a hospital from his injuries after being shot early Friday during a traffic stop in San Elizario, Texas, Wiles said.

The suspected shooter, Facundo Chavez, was arrested shortly after the shooting.

Facundo Chavez, the suspected shooter

Chavez, 27, remains jailed on charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The charge will be upgraded to capital murder, said Wiles, adding that he will ask the El Paso District Attorney's Office to seek the death penalty.

"We aren't going to stop what we're doing," Wiles said, his voice filled with emotion. "This community belongs to the good people of El Paso, not the criminals, and we're not going to give it up.

"They may have hit us right in the heart but we're going to come back stronger than ever," Wiles said. "We are going to continue to do our job and do it better with Deputy Herrera looking down on us, supporting our efforts."

Herrera, 35, had been with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for about 11 years, Wiles said. Herrera was a deputy for about five or six years after first working as a detention officer.

FACUNDO CHAVEZ El Paso County sheriff's deputy was shot when driver fired 15 times, sheriff says

Herrera and his wife, Ashley, had just gotten married in November, according to county records.

"What makes this really tough is that Peter was not only a son and a brother and a husband and a father to his step-daughter but he was really a great man who was looked up to by many," Wiles said.

"He was the kind of person that you would hope all your officers, all your deputies would be," the sheriff said.

The news conference took place in a meeting room at the Downtown jail.

Wiles was joined by El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, leaders of the El Paso County Sheriff's Officers Association and sheriff's staff.

The support from law enforcement and the community from across the region has been impressive, Samaniego said.

"What I saw in the last two days was something beyond incredible," Samaniego said.

El Paso Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz visited with Herrera's family after the deputy died, Samaniego said.

Condolences were issued by several law enforcement agencies and elected officials, including El Paso Mayor Dee Margo and El Paso U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar.

"Pete died serving his community and we just like to ask that you keep all of our hardworking deputies and detention officers in your prayers," said Peter Faraone, president of the El Paso County Sheriff's Officers Association.

Fundraising telephone scam warning

The Sheriff's Office warned that telephone scam callers are asking for donations to benefit Herrera's family in the form of gift cards.

Sheriff's Office representatives do not solicit donations by phone, much less in the form of gift cards.

There are two legitimate fundraising campaigns. To donate on Facebook click here and to donate on Gofundme.com click here.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at 546-6102; dborunda@elpasotimes.com; @BorundaDaniel on Twitter.

The El Paso Times isn't just another subscription. With our digital pass, you can get unlimited access to coverage on related coverage and more local news. Extend your support today for just $1 a month for the first 3 months.