Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My family would like to extend our deepest heart felt sympathies to the family, friends, and fellow co-workers of P.O. Francis Ortega. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We would like to let law enforcement officers everywhere know how much we appreciate them for putting their lives on the line everyday doing their jobs to keep their communities safe. May God watch over and protect each & everyone of you!

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen Detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

October 26, 2005

francis rest in piece. Once so close and now so far apart. I will miss you. FOREVER THINKING OF YOU.

Eugenio Ortega (uncle)

October 26, 2005

FRANCIS YOU WILL BE IN OUR HEARTS ALWAYS FOREVER.

R.I.P COUSIN

MELIZA TAVAREZ

October 11, 2005

Francis, you were a great cousin and a great friend. This present day I still can't believe that you are gone. I look at your picture everyday and I tell myself, "he is in a better place and will not suffer any pain that we all go through on our everyday lives" but I wish I didn't. I remember all the fun times we had together, on your graduation, Laura's baby shower,when I would sleep over when you guys lived on Bruce Street,(I used to love watching Punky Brewster with Joann) and when you guys lived in that big house on Buswell St. that I got so drunk and started throwing up. LOL... Those happy moments I will never forget. You are missed dearly. You were raised a great man. You have great parents that I love as if they were mine, especially tia Carmencita. Your sister Joann, is as a wonderful person as you were. I dislike the fact that they are going threw this pain and sorrow but they are not alone. Thank you for all the great memories. Rest in Peace cuz!!!

Love Always,
Kelly

Kelly Fernandez

October 4, 2005

siempre estaras en mi corazon primo descansa en paz dios se llevo un angel

alexander ortega
na

October 2, 2005

Officer Ortega,

Thank you so much for protecting the citizens of Georgia and more specifically those that live in Pine Lake. You are a hero! I am friends with one of your fellow officers who said that you were an outstanding officer. Thank you for standing against the thug that so cowardly backed out of the earthly justice that he was soon to face for the pain he caused you and yours. You passed with HONOR he perished with dishonor. To Officer Ortega's family: Thank you for allowing your hero father, husband, son to serve our nation and our state. May you be comforted to know that JESUS CHRIST loves you so much as HE loves your hero and our hero Officer Ortega.

State Probation Officer
Georgia Department of Corrections

September 16, 2005

Francis, I didn't know you however I knew the town you protected and served. For two and a half years I was a Pine Lake Officer myself, and your death hit close to home. The community you served is small and I know the news of your murder hit fast and hard. I just want to say thank you for caring for the people of Pine Lake and for the people who traveled Rockbridge Road each day.

Taryn Johnson (Deputy)
Forsyth County Sheriff (X- Pine Lake Police Officer)

September 13, 2005

While it is no consolation for your loss, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Ortega.

While no member of our agency had the privilege to have known him personally, we are certain that he has found a place in heaven through his selfless service to those he swore to protect.

Rest in peace officer; those of us who remain will cover your post on the thin blue line.

Medicine Lodge Police Department
Medicine Lodge, KS

September 7, 2005

I am deeply saddened by this tragic news. Another of the best people on earth has fallen to an evil murderer. I hope the community will show its outrage, as well as appreciation for this officer's sacrifice. You are a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May the memory of your service, heroism and sacrifice remain forever. May God bless you, your family and brother/sister officers.
AC

Trooper
Pennsyvania State Police

September 5, 2005

Francis, I am so greatful to have known you. I will never forget the conversation we had, the traffic stops we made and the good you did for the community of Pine Lake. I miss you, brother.

"THE FINAL INSPECTION"

The Policeman stood and faced his God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning just as brightly as his brass.
"Step foreward now, Policeman. How should 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 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 got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at
Times 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 thier fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needen'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 Policeman waited quietly for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now Policeman, You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

3705 10-42, 10-7 Heaven.

Officer W.J. Regan #3716
Pine Lake Police Dept.

August 26, 2005

Officer Ortega, you have served your community and state with honor and dignity. We will carry on from here. To the family of Officer Ortega you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Remember that you all are now part of a much larger family. To the men and women of the Pine Lake Police Department hold your heads high as you all carry on, and may you all stay safe. Rest in Peace Brother

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

August 24, 2005

May You Rest in Peace and May God Bless Your Soul

RetPaState Narcotics Agent II DiMiceli
Pa Office Of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations

August 23, 2005

The men and women of the Mahomet Police Department extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and co-workers of Ofc. Ortega.

Thank you for your service. God bless you.

Rest in peace Sir!

Mahomet, IL Police Dept.

August 19, 2005

Officer Francis Ortega, Thank you for your advice and for watching over me and my children, you will never know how much it meant to us. God bless you. Your family will always be in my prayers and your kindness will always be in my heart. There is a saying that an angel will come to you when you most desparetly need one and you Officer Ortega were my angel. You will be so greatly missed! Que en pas descanses. Dios ahora tiene un gran angel a su lado.

Charisse Navarrete
Pine Lake Resident

August 19, 2005

To the family members and friends of Ofc. Ortega, he was truly a pleasure to know. We will keep you all in our prayers. May God keep and bless you all.

Sgt. T. Dumas-Jackson & Dep. W. Jackson
Spalding Co SO & Monroe Co SO

August 18, 2005

Brother Ortega, your tour of duty is now over, and your brothers and sisters have taken control. Rest easy and take your place on Heavens Police Dept. Walk your beat with your head held high, knowing that you've done your job well.

To your family, you are in our prayers.

Ptn. Ortega, 10-25 Heaven 1, 10-42.

Ptn. Brad Keiser
Berkeley PD, MO

August 17, 2005

Once again, a senseless tragedy. My heart goes out to Officer Ortega's family and friends. He is too young to have died doing what he loves.

I am glad the perp committed suicide; he does not deserve to live.

Bless you all.

SFC William L. Farrell
US Army Military Police Ret.

August 17, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Pine Lake Police Department and to the family of PO Ortega.

An LEO Wife

August 17, 2005

Francis,
Please know that all your family will be looked after while they rebuild their broken hearts and shattered lives. I was in their shoes 42 years ago when my father, a P.G.County Police Officer was also shot and killed in Bowie MD. I'm married to a retired Deputy US Marshal who just finished 3 years at FLETC. We are getting ready to finish our lives in Tucson, Az. where they laid to rest another fallen officer also today. Gods speed be with you on your journey home and I would be so honored if you will tell my daddy we all still miss him and love him. There will be a seat waiting for you with all the fallen officers who gave the lives as you, so we could lead safe and peaceful lives here on earth.

Carolyn Setzer
Brunswick, Ga

Carolyn Setzer
Surviving daughter of Al Steinat Prince Georges county Police Dept. Md

August 17, 2005

TODAY,WE LAID TO REST A HERO..IT WAS SAD, BUT ALSO WE SWELLED WITH PRIDE..KNOWING WE WERE SENDING OUR BROTHER OUT IN STYLE. EVEN IN DEATH THE BROTHERHOOD CANT BE BROKEN..WE HONOR OUR BROTHER FRANCIS ORTEGA. MAY GOD BE WITH THE FAMLY AND FRIENDS.

SERGEANT WILLIAM M. RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 16, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Pine Lake P.D

Fallen but never forgotten.

Bryan Laurie son of fallen Officer
Nathan Laurie EOW 7-29-04

August 16, 2005

The thin blue line was crossed today....A good man gave his life... We will walk our beats with pride...You will never be forgotten..God be with you and your family... Rest In Peace

Patrol Officer - J.W Stahl
Dekalb County Police Department

August 16, 2005

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE BROTHER, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!!!!!!!!!

SGT. DANIEL ABRAHAMSON
OSCEOLA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE

August 16, 2005

To the family:
My deeepest sympathies to your family in this time of loss. Ortega will always be remembered by myself and his fellow classmates in the academy as an officer of professionalism and someone who could always make us laugh. He will be missed.
- Ofc. Josh Wilcox_#192
Warner Robins Police Dept.

PATROLMAN JOSH WILCOX
WARNER ROBINS POLICE DEPT., WR, GA.

August 16, 2005

Rest in peace my brother, my partner and my friend. My deepest condolences and Gods blessings to the surving family and the Pine Lake Police Department

Ofc. Clement Punter (motor)
Univ. Central Florida Police Department

August 16, 2005