San Miguel County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico
End of Watch: Sunday, September 17, 1978
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 16
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 17, 1978
Weapon Used: Rifle; .300 caliber
Suspect Info: Never apprehended
Deputy Ortiz was shot and killed in retaliation for killing a suspect who pointed a gun at him three weeks earlier.
Deputy Ortiz was on patrol in the Santa Fe National Forest when he encountered several suspects who were harassing campers. When one of the men pointed a rifle at him he opened fire, killing the suspect. Three weeks later Deputy Ortiz was working on his ranch in Rociada, NM near Maestas Canyon when he was gunned down by a man with a rifle 200 yards away. The suspect fled and was never identified.
Deputy Ortiz was due to resign from the department the following day. He is survived by his wife, four children, his sister, and other family members.