Dimmit County Sheriff's Office, Texas
End of Watch Friday, September 12, 1913
Add to My HeroesCandelario Ortiz
Deputy Candelario 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 captured a few days later near the Rio Grande River after a shootout with Texas Rangers and members of the U.S. Army. Two were killed and 16 others were taken into custody. 14 were charged in connection with Deputy Ortiz's murder. 13 were convicted of murder. Four were sentenced to life and the others were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to 25 years. Of the four sentenced to life escaped a year later from the Texas Penitentiary and was never recaptured. Two others were pardoned by Governor Miriam A. Ferguson on August 21, 1926. One who was sentenced to 15 years was killed in prison August 20, 1916.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender Charged with murder
Most Recent Reflection
View all 22 ReflectionsDeputy Sheriff Ortiz,
On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Dimmit County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
September 12, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025

Special Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Jr.
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Brandon Ray Sikes
Columbia County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: April 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Perez
Dawson County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 22, 2025

Captain Helio Armando Garcia, III
South Fulton Police Department, GA
EOW: April 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard
Wood County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 9, 2025

Deputy Sheriff William May
Walton County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: April 2, 2025

Police Officer Osmar Rodarte
Marysville Police Department, CA
EOW: March 26, 2025

Sergeant Grant J. Candies
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: March 23, 2025