Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your assailant may have never been identified but he/she surely faces a higher justice at some point in a different place. Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 17, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Ortiz.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 1, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Ortiz,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of San Miguel 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 17, 2018

Officer had served 5 months as lawman and was just short of his 53rd birthday when he was killed

t. fazzini
Researcher

October 6, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 34th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. You will always be remembered and revered.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 17, 2012

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 17, 2007

Deputy Ortiz,

Heroes and the sacrifices they make are never forgotten. Rest in peace hero.

SPO
Salem, VA

November 21, 2006

Although it has been a long time since this incident, I have always thought that it is especially insulting to the officer and his family that no one was ever caught. Perhaps the case should be re-investigated. I wonder why no one was caught at the time, or if a sufficient investigation was done. It seems natural to think the number of suspects was narrowed down, due to the apparent fact it was as a result of the recent shooting that the officer was involved in.

Anonymous

April 5, 2005