Deputy Sheriff Candelario Ortiz
Dimmit County Sheriff's Department
Texas
End of Watch: Friday, September 12, 1913

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, September 12, 1913
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Charged with murder

Deputy Ortiz was shot and killed after he and another deputy were abducted by a weapons-smuggling group from Mexico. He and three officers went to investigate a claim that the group of men were smuggling guns into the county. A scout group intercepted the two deputies and took them back to their camp and tied them up. The sheriff and a city marshal were then fired upon as they approached. When the group retreated they tied the two deputies' hands behind their backs and packed them with the guns and ammunition. After walking several miles Deputy Ortiz was unable to climb a hill loaded with the equipment and the suspects shot and killed him. The group was finally captured after a shootout with other deputies and members of the U.S. Army.