Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God bless sir, my family's prayers are with you and your family. We'll take it from here.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

June 25, 2005

Our Greatest Fear

Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again, I hold back a tear.
They patrol in the state, city, county and town,
in uniforms colored white, green, blue and brown.
The shape of their badges may vary,
but it’s a symbol that they all, proudly carry.
They leave for work with a kiss goodbye,
but some don’t come home, no matter how hard they try.
To uphold the law is the job that they pick,
with such high aspirations, why must some die so quick?
They leave behind loved ones, family and friends,
after their lives have met tragic ends.
Some die in crashes, others hearts not too stout,
to many have been lost when gunshots ring out.
Our Heavenly Father has called them home,
no more these dark streets do they roam.
Through trial and error they have given their best,
please Lord, now grant them eternal rest.
Yet once again the Thin Blue Line is diminished,
an officer’s final tour of duty is finished.
"Officer down", it’s our greatest fear,
and once again I hold back a tear.

Deputy Ortiz, thank you for all you have given! God bless you and your family...keep watching over us, we will take it from here...

Officer Justin W Yohe
Sweetser Police Department, Sweetser Indiana

June 25, 2005

God bless this Deputy and all that he stood for. Rest easy Jerry, we got it from here.

B Murry
Midwest US

June 25, 2005

rest in peace sir....our prayers are out to your family, friends, and department. you are a true hero

Ceres Police Explorer Post #451
CPD

June 25, 2005

Deputy Ortiz,

I didn't know you personally but working at SCC there is a part of my heart reserved for all of my deputies out in the field, including yourself. I started my shift today at 1700, about an hour and a half after the shooting. I heard that there was police activity in Hawaiian Gardens on the news as I drove to work but didn't know any of our guys had been shot. When I got to work I was saddened to find out that it was a shooting and you had been shot. As the room full of dispatchers watched the information pour out on the local news, our hearts sank when we found out you had passed on. It is a sad day for all of us at LASD including all the stations and special bureaus. You will be missed by us all!

Rest in peace and watch over your family and friends, for they will need your strength more than ever during this difficult time. Say hi to Mike Arruda for me as you will both be severely missed forever!

To Deputy Ortiz's family: I know this will be one of the most difficult times in your lives, be strong, he will be watching over you always. My heart goes out to all of you and you will be in my thoughts daily.

Melissa- Public Response Dispatcher
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department- SCC

June 25, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to the wife and children of an American Hero, Deputy Jerry Ortiz.
God Bless You. Deputy Jerry Ortiz is on-duty with St. Michael now.....

Sgt. Cliff Saylor
Albuquerque Police Dept., NM

June 25, 2005

My fiancee is with the SDPD, he told me about a shooting today as we were driving. As he mentioned it, the story came on the radio about Deputy Ortiz. I am so sad for this loss and knowing that he was only just married. My heart aches for his friends and family. Bless this brave man, bless his new wife, and family and friends for this incredible loss. God Bless.

June 25, 2005

In 2003, members of our agency stood side by side with your agency at the National Law Enforcement Officers Ceremony at the Capital as we had both recently lost members. The thoughts and prayers of the men and women of the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Association are with the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Jerry Ortiz.

Detective
Onondaga County (NY) Sheriff's Office

June 25, 2005

The Badge

It is polished and shiny and looks so fine.
Once you earn it you have to tow the line.
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.
It means honesty, integrity, and fairness to all.
Your life is never your own, but at the publics call.
Night or day, any hour, it makes you a mark.
It doesn't protect you from a shot in the dark.
Over the years the shine starts to fade,
but brighter still is the man its made.
It is often what seperates you from the crowd.
It is a second family of which you are proud.
So now comes your time, you can't be denied.
When you pin on your badge, wear it with pride
The minute you wear it upon your chest
it becomes a symbol that you are the best.


Perris Citizens Patrol

Volunteer
Perris Citizens Patrol

June 25, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Special Agent
FBI- SF

June 24, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Special Agent
FBI- SF

June 24, 2005

Jerry, although we did not know you, our prayers are with you and your family. May God bless each and every person that knows you and help them to find some kind of comfort in the days to come.

Rest assured that your family in "blue" will take care of your immediate family from here.

Rest easy, sir we have the watch from here.

ROSS COUNTY OHIO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
CHILLICOTHE OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

June 24, 2005

Rest in peace Jerry, thank you for your sacrifice and dedication.

Officer MAtthew Jones
LAPD

June 24, 2005

Thank you Deputy Ortiz for making the ultimate sacrafice. May God bless you, your family, and your family at LA County Sheriff's Dept. Rest in peace.

Mary Schumacher
Joliet PD, IL

June 24, 2005

What a tragedy that we have lost another fine Officer. As we watched on T.V. this afternoon, and were told of some of the details, our hearts went out to Officer Jerry Ortiz and his family. May God comfort his wife, children and co-workers. We will continue to lift you up in our prayers.
You have served us well.

Sincerely,
Lyndell & Elizabeth Taylor
Parents of
Deputy Sheriff
Morris Lyn Taylor (Roseburg, Oregon)
EOW 9-14-02

June 24, 2005

Our prayers go out to the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Ortiz. May God grant them comfort and some understanding during this tragic time. Rest in peace Sir.

Captain Robert W. Cannon; Retired
Vermilion County, Illinois Sheriff's Department

June 24, 2005

Dear family and fellow deputies, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my prayers. May God watch over you all.

Chaplain David Copeland
White County Sheriff's Department, Arkansas

June 24, 2005

how sad it is to hear of this senseless death. only a coward would do this, and gangs think they are so brave.\we extend our sincere sympathy to the family, friends, and los angeles county sheriff's dept.
GOD bless all OF you.
and again we shed a tear for the thin blue line is diminished.
AUXILIARY MOTTO: "NEVER LET THEM WALK ALONE"

mary mc intyre pres, & nat. trustee
alabama state fraternal order of police auxiliary

June 24, 2005

rest in peace brother

Deputy Harvey
Va

June 24, 2005

I had known Jerry for the past 15 years and boxed with him on the LASD Boxing Team. I am going to miss him and that smile of his....Till we meet again my friend, David

Sergeant David Infante

June 24, 2005

This is now the 7th officer this year in California that has been taken from us. Something is wrong with our society when we continously lose such wonderful, dedicated people to such senseless tragedies. I am a gf of an officer, who loves his job, would go a mile to protect and save someone but yet thees tragic killings continue. My sympathy goes out to Officer Ortiz's wife and children. I did not know Officer Ortiz but I do know many fine officers and I am sure he was a dedicated officer as well as a wonderful husband and father and will be missed by many.

June 24, 2005

Rest in peace Brother Jerry, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham Retired
Sand Springs Okla Police Department

June 24, 2005

My most heartfelt sympathies go out to Dep. Ortiz' family, friends and colleagues. Another tragedy! Will it ever end?!

God Bless you and keep you. Thank you for taking this job and doing it well while facing the dangers out there. I will pray for your family. Please protect us from above.

L. Ambrose
Wife of BPD officer

June 24, 2005