Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Deputies of the LA County Sheriff, I met some of you in DC this past May, we talked, and laughed, and talked about the good things, even tho we were there to reflect on tragedy...We will see you again in 2006...my heart goes out to you and your families...

To the family of Deputy Ortiz, take heart in knowing that he joins many wonderful men and women up in heaven...he will not be forgotten...his legacy will live on in his brothers and sisters "in blue" and his children. Our prayers are with you.

God Bless you, you are 10-7 sir, goodnight.

Aimee - A4259 - Dispatcher
Phoenix Police Department

June 26, 2005

Rest in peace, our prayers and thoughts go out to your family and friends in this time of need. Heroism will never be forgotten.

Deputy
Frederick County Sheriff's Office (MD)

June 26, 2005

Rest in peace Deputy Ortiz,you are a true hero. My prayers are with you and your family.

Ofc. G. Watts
San Francisco Police-TTF

June 26, 2005

Another senseless tragedy....Rest in Peace Deputy Ortiz. You are a hero to your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

SGT. J.W. FISH
N.C. PORTS AUTHORITY POLICE

June 26, 2005

Rest in Peace my brother, My thoughts and prayers to his family and to his department.

Chief Tom Ptasnik
Walnut Police Department, Illinois

June 26, 2005

God bless the family of Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz and to all the members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

God bless....

Trooper
New Jersey State Police

June 26, 2005

Even though like siblings, our departments sometimes share a rivalry, We are all brothers. We are all part of the same family working for a common goal of protecting our citizens. We mourn the loss of our fellow brother, Deputy Ortiz. Our prayers are with his family and with his fellow deputies.

God bless Deputy Ortiz, his family and the LASO.

Police Officer
Los Angeles Police Department

June 26, 2005

Coming from a department that just laid to rest a 15 year veteran on June 25, 2005, we know all too well the sacrafice and loss. Thank you Deputy Ortiz for your service. I pray that your fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement will come together and assist those that were most deeply affected by your death.

Cpl. Daniel Robb
Prince George's County Police (MD)

June 26, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Deputy Ortiz deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. No greater love has a person than the will to give their life for another. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Deputy Ortiz is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and will always be admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

Tom Doyle
Cary Police Department, NC

June 26, 2005

Dear Family & LEO family,

My God be with you as you start your long journey. I enough that your family had to go through this one time, but to have to stop along your journey to start with another family member. We as your LEO family can only let you know we are thinkg of you and praying for you. May God hold you close and help you as you try to keep going. We are there with you in heart and thoughts. God's peace be with you.
S.Martin wife of a Buncombe County Sheriffs Deputy. Asheville, NC

June 26, 2005

THE Deputy's LAST ROLL CALL ...

THE Deputy STOOD AND FACED HIS GOD, WHICH MUST ALWAYS COME TO PASS. HE
HOPED HIS SHOES WERE SHINING, JUST AS BRIGHTLY AS HIS BRASS. "STEP FORWARD
NOW, Deputy. HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU? HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED THE OTHER
CHEEK? TO MY CHURCH HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

THE Deputy SQUARED his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a Saint. I've had to
work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been
violent because the streets are awfully tough. But I never took a penny that
wasn't mine to keep, though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just
got to steep. And I never passed a cry for help, though times I shook with
fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept many unmanly tears. I know I
don't deserve a place among the people here, they never wanted me around
except to calm their fear. If you've a place for me Lord, it needn't be so
grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the Saints had often trod. As
the Deputy waited quietly, for the judgement of his God. "Step forward
now, Deputy, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's
streets, you've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown

That cowardice piece of SH_T took a worrior away from us and unfortunately gave up like the coward he is. It would have been better for all involved if he would have given one of us the oppertunity to arrange the meeting between he and his maker. You were stead fast soldier out here in the war against these sh_t-heads, you and your sacrifice will never be forgoten, and we will avenge your sacrifice with every gangmember that we put in jail or better! You exemplified the qualities of Law Enforcement in all that you did, on and off duty!

And may God be with you, your family, your team and fellow Deputies during this tough time!

Gods Speed brother!

Officer Rusty Redican
LAPD/Newton Division

June 26, 2005

Rest in peace brother, your job is done here.

Officer Eric Newbury
California Highway Patrol

June 26, 2005

On behalf of the men and women of the La Habra Police Department as well as my personal family we send our prayers and condolences to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the family of Deputy Ortiz. It doesn't matter where we work, when one of our brothers or sisters fall we all feel the pain and the loss. Rest in peace Deputy Ortiz, you will never be forgotten.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra PD, California

June 26, 2005

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God". Matthew 5:9 God Bless the Family and Friends in these ever so hard times.

Officer Shawn Eckhart
DA Police/Marine Veteran

June 26, 2005

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS SEND OUR CONDOLENCES. OUR
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH DEPUTY
ORTIZ, HIS FAMILY AND CO-WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE - BUFFALO, NEW YORK

June 26, 2005

Another terrible tragedy... Thank you for serving our community and doing your job. You did not deserve this nor does anyone else. I hope they suspect does get the death penalty. Your family will be in my thoughts. Thanks for doing your job!

June 26, 2005

My condolences to the Ortiz Family, Friends, and the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. Thank you Sheriff Ortiz for your years of dedication and service to you community.

Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

June 26, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

June 26, 2005

Hero, Rest in Peace...

Police Officer
Syracuse Police Dept,NY

June 26, 2005

Deputy Ortiz, you Sir have served your community and state with honor and dignity, we will carry on from here. To the family of Deputy Ortiz you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Please remember that you are now part of a much larger family. To the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department hold your heads high as you carry on. Stay safe and watch each others backs...Rest in Peace..Brother.

Detective First Grade Robert F. Jackson
Metropolitan Police Department Washington D.C./Homicide Branch

June 26, 2005

My condolences to Deputy Ortiz family and his Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Brother and Sisters.
You died being a hero by the hands of a COWARD. May you rest in peace and watch over all of our Brother and Sisters who wear the badge of a hero.

PTLM.MIKE WALKER
PROVIDENCE POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 26, 2005

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

June 26, 2005

My fiancé, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in SE Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Jerry did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Jerry be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Deputy Ortiz's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through these tough times, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you and that you are not alone in your "journey". Should you ever need anything please do not hesitate to contact me. (Dennis' department will also always know how to reach me.)

As a fallen officer "survivor" and a friend, please accept my condolences on behalf of myself and the McElderry family. I never got the opportunity to know Jerry but, I am certain Jerry was well respected and well loved. He will live on in the hearts of all the lives he touched. You were lucky to have had him be a part of your lives, even for a short time. I pray that Jerry will continue to watch over us all as only he can.

Thank you Deputy Ortiz for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiancé Dennis for me.

Wishing you brighter and better days,

Jocelyne :)

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancée of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

June 26, 2005

My heart goes out to Jerry's new wife, two kids, and friends at LASD Lakewood Station. Jerry was one of the good guys that made a difference. He will be sorely missed. My brothers and sisters at Lakewood Station will continue to be in my prayers.

--Westlake
Lakewood 1/2000 to 11/2004

Deputy Dave Westlake
Spokane County Sheriff's Office

June 26, 2005

On behalf of the Officers at FCI-Terminal Island, our most deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Deputy Ortiz and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Rest in Peace brother, you will not be forgotten.

J.Smothermon

Senior Correctional Officer
Federal Bureau of Prisons

June 26, 2005