DENVER -- Seven months after one police officer was shot to death and another was wounded at a baptismal party, the man charged in the crime has been extradited from Mexico to stand trial.

Detectives and U.S. Marshals brought Raul Gomez-Garcia back to Denver late Thursday, just hours after Mexican officials said he would be returned to face criminal charges. Gomez-Garcia was taken to the Denver County Jail and made his first court appearance Friday.

Denver District Judge Larry Naves set a $1 million bond for the suspect.

Gomez-Garcia faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the death of Detective Donald Young and the wounding of Detective John Bishop. They were shot from behind while working off-duty but in uniform as security guards at the May 8 party. Police described it as an ambush.

Gomez-Garcia, a Mexican citizen, eluded a widespread dragnet in the U.S. but was arrested in Mexico in June.

He faces up to 96 years in prison if convicted of both counts. District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said it could be a year before Gomez-Garcia goes to trial.

Mexican officials authorized his extradition last month. On Thursday, Mexican Consul-General Juan Marcos Gutierrez-Gonzalez said Gomez-Garcia had not filed an appeal by the Dec. 15 deadline.

Young, 43, was a decorated officer with two young daughters. His widow, Kelly, was pleased that the suspect will face charges in the U.S., police chief Gerry Whitman said.

"It's a good time of year to resolve some of these issues," he said. "(But) it brings some emotion back."

Extradition was complicated by a treaty that allows the Mexican government to refuse to turn over suspects to the United States if they face the death penalty. A Mexican Supreme Court ruling had blocked extradition of suspects facing life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, but that was overturned last month.

Morrissey decided against charging Gomez-Garcia with first-degree murder, which can carry either penalty.

"The Denver authorities' decision on how to charge Gomez with the crime, in consultation with the family of Officer Young, was no doubt very difficult, but their flexibility contributed significantly to the successful conclusion of the extradition case," said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza "This case certainly serves as an example of the commitment on both sides of the border to bring fugitives to justice as expeditiously as possible."

After Gomez-Garcia's arrest, U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., introduced legislation to cut aid to countries that refuse to extradite anyone suspected of killing an American law-enforcement officer. The provision was part of a 2006 foreign aid bill signed into law by President Bush.

Gutierrez-Gonzalez dismissed any criticism of Mexico's handling of the case.

"It has once more demonstrated that Mexico does not harbor people running from justice," he said.

"The process of finding, detaining and resolving the extradition occurred in a period of time well below the average in this type of cases," he said.

Morrissey said he expected the experience to aid in future cases.

"This gives us a good idea of what you need to do to get this process done," Morrissey said. "It certainly sets a precedent for us if we're ever in this situation again."