Officer Down Memorial Page

To Sgt. Ruben Orozco Sr, his family and his fellow officers with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Sgt. Orozco‘s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Sgt. Orozco and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff
September 17, 2009

Thank you for your service Sarge...

Deputy and Firefighter
Southwest Florida
September 17, 2009

Hey Tio just wanted to tell you I miss you everyday and I thanks for watching down on us! Love you!

Chris Cordero
Nephew
May 17, 2009

Sgt. Orozco served proudly and was deeply loved and respected by those who
knew him. It is a tragedy to lose him. We never know when our lives on this
earth will end, but we can make a reservation in Heaven now and assure us a
place when God calls us to Himself. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
(John 14:6) and He PAID the price for our sins on the Cross so we don't have to pay the penalty for our sins. Yipee! If we accept His payment by faith we can have salvation and spend eternity with Him in Heaven. It is not something we must earn, it is a gift. The most precious one we can ever receive. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith_and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God_not by good deeds, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2: 8,9. For without faith, it is impossible to please God. And our faith must be in God's only Son, Jesus Christ. John 3:16,17.
You were a credit to the uniform, Sgt. Orozco. My heart goes out to your
loved ones left behind and may the Lord comfort them as only He can.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous
September 17, 2008

To the family and friends of Sergeant Ruben Orozco Sr. and his fellow officers in the El Paso County County Sheriff's Department:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to Ruben's memory on the third anniversary of the day Ruben so tragically lost his life. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. We grieve for you and with you. Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are still experiencing.

Please know that the brotherhood and sisterhood of law enforcement and other police survvors will always be by your side on each step of the journey.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the e years of service Sgt. Orozco gave to his community and the citizens of Texas, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 17, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

Anonymous
September 17, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
February 6, 2008

Sergeant Orozco,
Today is the second anniversary of your EOW. I am thinking of you and the sacrifice you gave to your community. It takes a special kind of person to choose this profession that is so precarious every minute on the job. As a native El Pasoan, I am sure that many other proud El Pasoans salute you today for your courage.

Pennsylvania citizen
September 17, 2007

May God bless each family who has lost a loved one in the law enforcement community. My daily prayers in the morning and evening for each officer on patrol or off duty.

Paz,
Fr. Martin Cordero
La Mesa, New Mexico

Father Martin Cordero
First Cousin
August 5, 2007

I went to the Capital today to honor you and your family. May God keep you close as I pray for those you had to leave behind.

Terry Donovan,spouse of Amy Lynn Donovan EOW 31 October 2004

May 7, 2007

SGT, I miss your fun-loving approach to work no matter the task or the situation. I work with you for 5 years when I was assigned to Metro. Although I was deployed to Iraq at the time. Your loss was felt by all. God bless

SFC Jeffery R. Lewis
Texas National Guard
December 15, 2006

Like you used to, I also wear a uniform to serve this country, but I am in the military. It is funny how they say that people in the military risk thier lifes for this country. But that is only when deployed or in a time of war. I was in the last war operation iraqi freedom and operation enduring freedom, but you know what, it is people like you that keep us safe here locally along with our families when we are not here. You are the ones that risk your lifes every day. Orozco family you should be very proud of this man that was a husband, a father and a son. My condolences to this wonderfull man and his family. I will keep you in my prayers and god bless you.

Army SGT.
US ARMY
September 29, 2006

Sgt. it's been a year since you were taken from us. Not a day goes by that I dont remember your jokes or seeing you at all the part times. Sgt. you and your family are in my prayers. God Bless and i miss you!!

Deputy Valdez

Deputy Armando Valdez
EPSO
September 17, 2006

My thoughts are with your family on this first anniversary of your end of watch. There has not been a day this past year that they have not thought about you at least once every hour of every day. You will never be forgotten. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon, Father of fallen Chicago Officer
Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon
September 17, 2006

TODAY WE REMEMBER SGT. OROZCO AND THE SACRIFICE HE GAVE. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
I KNOW THAT YOUR FAMILY IS MISSING YOU TODAY AND I WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THEM TODAY AND THE HURT AND PAIN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.
MAY GOD GIVE YOU COMFORT TODAY AND ALWAYS.
GLB

September 17, 2006

May you rest in Peace and may Our Lord comfort and strengthen your loved ones, friends and co-workers.

September 17, 2006

"Please Always Think Of Me"

A year ago I left your world
Not by choice you see
I Love you all so very much
Please always think of me
I'm way up here above the clouds
My spirit is alive
I wanted to stay a little longer
God took me by surprise
He said He had a plan for me
Much bigger and brighter things
He gave me something gold and white
Called guardian angel wings
I wear them very proudly
God made them just for me
I'll always take good care of you
Please always think of me

Copyright ©2006 Randy Layne Raulston

Detective Randy Raulston
El Paso County Sheriff's Department
September 11, 2006

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you...

Sabrina, Randy, Cyera
Grandchildren
July 24, 2006

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you and miss you......

JoJo
Daughter
July 24, 2006

Sergeant Orozco,
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting your loving family. Please know that your family is secure here in the Washington D.C. area to honor you and our other fallen brothers for Police week. They miss you greatly........

"Heroes Live Forever".......

Ofc. D. McCarthy
Gaithersburg, MD. Police Dept.
May 11, 2006

TO THE OROZCO FAMILY
MY CONDOLENCES AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY IN YOUR LOSS. I AM A WIFE OF AN OFFICE AND WORRY DAILY FOR HIM AS YOU DID FOR YOUR HUSBAND AND DADDY. I TRULY AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND HOPE YOU CAN TURN TO GOD FOR THE ANSWERS YOU CAN'T SEEM TO FIND. REMEMBER RUBEN IS LOOKING DOWN ON YOU ALL AND TAKING EVEN MORE CARE OF YOU FROM ABOVE

AN OFFICERS WIFE

WIFE OF AN OFFICER
May 1, 2006

I was the first undercover minor for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission back in 1994, I was a Police Explorer for El Paso Police Department and I had the honor to meet Sergeant Ruben Orozco, he was part of the team which hekped with our surveillance for a period of time. He amongst other great law enforcement officers through out my life have been my role models to becoming a great law enforcement officer some day. I came to california and recently graduated from a police academy, I am not affiliated yet, and it was with my desbelief to see his picture as a down officer in this website as I checked for job opportunities. It is with saddest condolences to his family and agency. It's a regreat to loose such fine peace officer to a tragic accident. Sincerely Daniel Hernandez

Daniel Hernandez
In the process of becoming a peace officer
April 23, 2006

Sgt. Still miss you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deputy Armando Valdez
El Paso County Sheriffs
April 20, 2006

I just wanted to express my sorrow for the loss of Ruben. I worked with Ruben many years ago. I never expected to hear so soon that Ruben was gone. It is always something that is known when you do what Ruben and I did,, but he was always so carreful watching out for everyone. I remember a time working the crosswalk at a UTEP Basketball game and a car did not stop. Ruben yelled at everyone in the crosswalk to stop. The car kept going ad Ruben got the license plate, but no one in the crosswalk was hurt. Ruben always watching out for us all. Now i guess he has the best seat of all to continue watching out for us.

Suzanne Leckrone Escobar
Former El Paso County Sheriffs Department
March 30, 2006

May GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY & ALL PEACE OFFICERS. MY prayers are with YOU ALL.
BIG BROTHER & BROTHER IN LAW of
DEPUTY JERRY ORTIZ EOW 6/24/05
CORR.OFFICER MANUEL GONZALEZ EOW 1/10/05

J."ART" ORTIZ
L.A. Co. PROBATION
March 28, 2006

REST IN PEACE BROTHER RUBEN

OFFICER RALPH NICKELS
EL PASO ISD POLICE
March 25, 2006