Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the family of Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz,

On behalf of my family and I, please accept our condolences in your loss. Please know and take comfort in the fact that Deputy Ortiz served his community well. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of GOD," Matthew 5:9.

Just as the verse says,"Come walk a beat in Heaven's streets, you've done your time in hell". Deputy Ortiz is policing the streets of Heaven.

GODspeed my brother.

Kelle Ammerman, Deputy Sheriff
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

Deputy Sheriff Kelle Ammerman
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department-Training Center

June 28, 2005

My heartfelt grief goes out to your family. Your pain is deep and my prayers are with you at the beginning of every shift.

Todd Christensen, Officer
Kalamazoo Public Safety, Michigan

June 28, 2005

So sorry to hear about the lost of this deputy. My heart goes out to the family and the men and women of the LASD. Thank You for your service.

A.S. POII
SDPD

June 28, 2005

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz. You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communities. Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

GP

June 28, 2005

My sincere condolence's to Deputy Ortiz family ,friends and fellow department members. This is a tragic loss.

Trooper Frank Mongue
Maine State Police

June 28, 2005

Rest in peace brother you are a hero to us all.

Officer Shaun McCready
Greenfield Township (PA) Police Department

June 28, 2005

there are no words that can express my condolonces to your family and friends. walk your beat proud in heaven, you deserve. my prayers are with you and your family.

A.Duarte
P.U.S.D.

June 28, 2005

I have been sitting here remembering past conversations with Jerry, he was my friend, he is a hero, you will be missed but never forgotten. God Bless.

Det M Montoya
LASD - Narcotics

June 28, 2005

Policeman's prayer
Lord, I ask for courage;
Courage to face and conquer my own fears...
Courage to take me where others will not go.
I ask for strength;
Strength of body to protect others...
Strength of spirit to lead others.
I ask dedication;
Dedication to my community to keep it safe.
Give me, Lord, concern;
For all those who trust me...
And compassion for those who need me
And, please, Lord, through it all; be at my side.
Jerry, RIP my brother. We will never forget your smile and dedication to the job. You will truly be missed by everyone.

Dan
LASD

June 28, 2005

Somebody Killed A Policeman Today

Somebody killed a policeman today, and
A part of America died.
A piece of our country he swore to protect
Will be buried with him at his side.
The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,
With counsel demanding his rights,
While a young widowed mother must work for her kids
And spend alone many long nights.
The beat that he walked was a battlefield, too.
Just as if he'd gone off to war.
Though the flag of our nation won't fly at halfmast,
To his name, they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today.
It happen in your town or mine.
While we slept on comfort behind our locked doors,
A cop put his life on the line.
Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street,
And he stands at each new rookie's side.
He answered the call and gave us his all,
And a part of America died.

June 28, 2005

I just wanted to send my condolescences to Deputy Ortiz's wife, children and family. I lost my best friend to gunfire almost a year ago. He was a Police Officer for Indianapolis Police Department in Indianapolis, Indiana. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for risking your life everyday! There is no more noble man than one that lies down his life for another.

Indianapolis, Indiana

June 28, 2005

To the family of Deputy Ortiz,
As I sit here and read of your terrible loss, I can't help but be reminded of my family's loss. The pain is still very fresh to this day. The grief at what your family is experiencing at the death of a second family member, must feel overwhelming. However, please lean on this most wonderful testimony of faith. "When you come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step into the darkness, FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen...there will either be a place for you to stand or you will be taught how to fly!" Your loved ones were taught how to fly as the angels lead them home. Please take comfort in knowing that we too will be taught how to fly as we get to reunite with our loved ones in the presence of God. My love and prayers are with each of you.

Teri Hodges
cousin of Trooper Nik Green EOW 12/26/03

June 28, 2005

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Officer Ortiz's family, friends and colleagues. I did not know him personally but lost my brother-in-law, CHP Officer Shannon Distel on 08/27/03. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. It is such a tragedy to have these amazing people taken away from us. I am sorry for your loss.

Cindy McCullah
Sister-In-Law of CHP Officer Shannon Distel EOW 08/27/03

June 28, 2005

Deputy Ortiz: your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I never met you, however you are my brother and I am also a resident of this County. As my colleagues and I in my Dept. continue to deal with our recent loss, know that we stand with your family and fellow deputies in solidarity. Rest in Peace. We will continue the Watch and know we will not bend or bow to the type of "people" who do this.

Sgt. Ed Trahan
Los Angeles Airport Police

June 28, 2005

Godspeed brother! Rest assured the members of your department will take care of your family.

Mark Holthaus
Washington State Patrol

June 28, 2005

Brother, we pray as your family,fellow deputies, and friends grieve your tragic death. Your killer will suffer in eternal damnation,while your wings of angel will spread and watch over all of us. Rest in peace brother, we'll take it from here.

Officer D. Cruz
Sewall's Point Police Department Fl.

June 28, 2005

May God Bless and comfort your family, and repay your murderer with a thousand deaths.

Detective Edwards
Bessemer Police Dept Al.

June 28, 2005

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

June 28, 2005

You are a true hero to us all and you will never be forgotten.

DE
St. Louis City Police

June 28, 2005

Rest In Peace, Deputy J. Ortiz
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"

Officer C. Martin
Lexington Police Dept, Texas

June 28, 2005

I was one of the first responding patrol deputies to the scene the day Jerry was shot. What I saw and what I did is something that I never will forget. Oftentimes we hear about the officers and deputies who are killed in the line of duty or we may attend their funerals but we don't usually roll to the scene only minutes after the incident took place. I can only tell you that we took good care of Jerry that day and I know that I will NEVER forget that day for my entire career or even for my entire life.

It is a warzone out there in our city streets and I have a better understanding of what our troops go through when they see their brothers who have just been shot in the warfields. I never want to see it again.

The men and women of Lakewood Station will miss you Jerry

Dep. JW
LASD/LKD

June 28, 2005

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

June 28, 2005

We met only briefly as members of the boxing team. I heard the call and responded with other units from Norwalk station. The response from law enforcement in Los Angeles and Orange county was incredible. I saw a lot of deputies who heard the news and responded from home to locate your assailant. You were well loved and are sorely missed.
Rest in peace.

Deputy Christine Ostrander
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

June 28, 2005

Although I no longer wear a uniform, I work with many of your brothers and sisters who do. I'm sorry I never had the chance to work with you. Your life, your dedication, and your desire live on in all of us who serve to improve our communities. Rest assured, we will never stop fighting to keep our streets safe, if not for our own children, for yours.

Special Agent
DEA-Los Angeles

June 28, 2005

God bless your wife, your children, and family. Partner, look after the rest of us, as we try to complete the job you started. Heroes like you are few and far between. Someday, whether it be tomorrow or many years down the road I look forward to standing next to you. Bless you and God Speed be with you....

Pll Ojeda 36393
lapd

June 28, 2005