Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Officer Ortega as well as to the Pine Lake Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Ortega, you are gone but will never be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

August 14, 2005

Ortega was as fine an officer as I have worked with. He did the peoples business professionally and he did it with a smile. I was always happy to ride a call with him and I am sad he is gone.

Officer Joseph L. Woods
Pine Lake Police Dept.

August 14, 2005

Rest in Peace and Thank you
To Officer Ortega's son - please always know your daddy was a hero and he died protecting others, his work will never be forgotten

Officer - Binghamton, NY

August 14, 2005

To the family of Officer Ortega our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of pain and sorrow. Thank you for allowing him to be the best Officer that he could and for loving him. Officer Ortega thank you for your dedication to protecting others.I did not get the honor to meet you but I am sure that you were an outstanding officer. You will be missed but NEVER EVER forgotten.

Amber Zempter-MCSO Wife
Marion Ohio Sheriffs Office

August 13, 2005

Rest Easy my brother, We will take it from here. My thoughts and condolences to the family.

Detective Andy Bershad
NYPD-Emergency Service Unit

August 13, 2005

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Ortega's son, family, friends and co-workers. May God bless and comfort you. Psalm 55:22

Denise Nichols - surviving spouse
Alabama State Trooper Brian K. Nichols EOW 2/17/2002

August 13, 2005

My sympathy and prayers are with the Officer Ortega's family, friends and department. Officer Ortega, you are truly a hero. May you rest in peace.
Mary Kay Balchunas, mother of
Jay Balchunas, EOW 11/5/04

August 13, 2005

Rest easy brother, your family will long be in my prayers.

Captain Jeff Strickland
Hall County Sheriff's Office

August 13, 2005

My condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of Ofc. Ortega.

May you rest in peace brother!!

Patrol
LAWRENCE POLICE DEPT. MA

August 13, 2005

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family, friends and all the members of the Pine Lake Police Department. We were made safer by his service and we all suffer their tragic loss. The family of Officer Ortega deserves our appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice. In the days to follow, may you be strengthened by the fact that Officer Ortega 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

August 13, 2005

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER:--- O, gentle Lord ! Keep the day/night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent upon me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. *** REST IN PEACE ***

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

August 13, 2005

Thank you for your service brother...Rest in Peace

Ofc De La Ossa
University of Arizona Police

August 13, 2005

Officer Ortega, may God bless all those you left behind. May he give them strength to bear the unbearable.

Our families know the pain stricken grief that your family must now go through for we did the same on April 21st of this year when we lost our beloved Officer Larry Cox.

Rest assured that your "blue" family will watch over your immediate family.

Thank You Sir for the ultimate price you paid.

ROSS COUNTY OHIO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
CHILLICOTHE OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

August 13, 2005

Thank you for your sacrafice. rest easy brother.

PO2 Michael Wilhelm
The George Washington University Police Department

August 13, 2005

Thank you for your service. You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

August 13, 2005

MY WIFE ANDI PRAYER'S ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY YOU HAVE WALKED THAT THIN BLUE LINE BUT YOU DIDN'T FAIL,WERE STILL WALKING WITH YOU GOD BLESS YOU.

OFFICER NATHANIEL GRAY
CITY OF ATLANTA DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS

August 13, 2005

My Heart breaks more every time I read of the death of another police officer. My beautiful son was also 25 when he was ripped from our lives. I wish I could say something that would make a difference. Just know that we share your heartbreak.

Matt's Mom
Officer Jesse Matthew Rittenhouse HPD 920

August 13, 2005

RIP brother. Another GA officer made the ultimate sacrifice. Your service will not be forgotten.

Deputy Sheriff
Paulding SO

August 13, 2005

Rest in peace Brother in Blue .

Sgt L Fear ( Ret )
Oblong Il Police Dept

August 13, 2005

Rest easy brother, the watch is ours now.

Officer
Atlanta Police

August 13, 2005

Frank, go in peace and walk with the Lord.

We'll take it from our brother.

Your Brother and Sisters of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Florida

PBSO
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

August 13, 2005

On behalf of the members of the Sutherlin Police Department, I send to you, our heartfelt condolences and prayers in your time of sadness. May your fallen officer’s legacy live on in the memories of his friends and family. Rest now brother, after a job well done. We’ll take it from here.

Cpl. Justin Marquis
Sutherlin Police Department, Sutherlin, OR

August 13, 2005

To Laura, wife of Officer Francis Ortega, his infant daughter and six year old son and to his parents, fellow officers and friends:

God be with you during the difficult road ahead.

You are loved.

All those who have walked this same walk are praying for you.

Heaven is receiving prayers from across the nation and the world for you and your family.


Rachal

RLG

Rachal

August 13, 2005

RIP BROTHER

Reserve Deputy Enriquez
MCSO Montgomery County TN.

August 13, 2005

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Ortega; may he rest in peace.

Linda Lamm - LEO Wife and Sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11/05/04

August 13, 2005