Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of this fallen officer.

Andrew, Police Officer
Baltimore City Police

August 12, 2005

Go rest high on that mountain, brother. God bless you and your family. May the complete peace of Jesus Christ comfort them always.

Deputy Sheriff Sergeant
GA

August 12, 2005

Thank you, Officer Ortega, for your sacrifice for the citizens of Pine Lake, DeKalb County, and the State of Georgia.

Jeff Ferguson
Resident of Roswell, Ga; Fulton County

August 12, 2005

I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. God bless all of you.

Franklin Parish resident

August 12, 2005

My heartfelt prayers and condolences to Officer Francis Ortega's family and fellow officers. May he watch over us and protect us from heaven. Rest in Peace.

Officer Larry A. Estrada
VAMC Police Dept. Augusta, GA

August 12, 2005

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer.

Tonight, August 12, 2005 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Police Officer Francis Ortega who died in the line of duty just yesterday.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Officer Ortega's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

August 12, 2005

Thank you for your service and paying the ultimate price. My thoughts and prayers are obviously with the loved ones you had to leave behind so soon. It is not an easy walk ahead for them, but you are now their guardian angel and will help them through their grief journey.

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of Cole Martin
Chatsworth, GA P.D.
E.O.W. April 25, 2003

August 12, 2005

MAY GOD BLESS THE SON, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF OFFICER ORTEGA. MAY THE SON ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT HIS DAD WAS A HERO. MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY WE MEET SOME GREAT DAY. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL, NOW REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 12, 2005

REAST IN PEACE OFFICER ORTEGA. MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY IN THEIR TIME OF NEED.

LEO WIFE
GEORGIA

August 12, 2005

Officer Ortega,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Pine Lake.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

August 12, 2005

I did not have the honor to met or work with Ofc. Ortega. My prayers and thoughts goes out to him and his family. May you rest in peace.

Det. A. Toledo
DEKALB COUNTY POLICE

August 12, 2005

God Bless you Officer Ortega may God continue to bless your family You have done what you vowed to do and that is serve and Protect you've done just that. We the Officers of Georgia we know that you're gone and that you will be missed. We realize that you are still watchingover each and everyone of us during our beat. God Bless You.

Brandon
Gainesville PD(future)

August 12, 2005

May god be with your family and your department. Another soldier lost for no reason.

C.B.Cost SR
Fulton County Sheriff Office

August 12, 2005

God Bless Officer Ortega and his family and co-workers. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and co-workers.

communications officer
gwinnett county police dept

August 12, 2005

Several years ago, I spent a lot of time in Pine Lake while dating someone who lived there. It is a beautiful, peaceful community. I was stunned today as I saw the news of Ofc. Ortega's tragic death. My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers.

Rest in peace, brother.

August 12, 2005

MAY GOD HELP US. 4 DEATHS IN TWO DAYS.
REST IN PEACE, MY FRIEND. I SALUTE YOU! MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVED. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO INDEED! MAY GOD BLESS AND WATCH OVER YOUR YOUNG SON.

JIM SWEENEY
A FRIEND TO ALL POLICE OFFICERS

August 12, 2005

Rest in Peace Brother...you have earned it. We are grateful for your faithfulness, bravery, and dedication to duty. We are eternally grateful for the unselfish sacrifice of self. Be assured your loved ones are never alone for we remain but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

August 12, 2005

Officer Ortega

Rest Easy and know that we have the shift now. Your son is in our prayers.

Ofc. Owen
HCPD

August 12, 2005

A routine traffic stop - Another tragic reminder that some of the most simple and common tasks are also the most dangerous.

Deputy Sheriff
Indiana

August 12, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Ortega's Family. He gave his life to protect the life of others. He will always be a true hero. His service and courage will never be forgotten.

Godspeed Brother!!!!

Correctional Officer in California
California Department Of Corrections

August 12, 2005

R.I.P. Brother,Thank you for your sacrifice. We will continue the fight.Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Sgt.C.Harrison
Henry Co. S.O.

August 12, 2005

Rest in peace brother, we have the watch now....

Officer
South Carolina

August 12, 2005

Rest In Peace Brother you done your time in HELL !!!!

officer
APD

August 12, 2005

Officer Ortega, I thank you for your service to mankind. It is people like you who protect the innocent and give us a sense of security at night.
"The only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke, British Statesman

August 12, 2005

“REMEMBER ME”
Law enforcement officers are, indeed, a special breed of people. Ask anyone on the street and they will tell you that they would not have our jobs for anything in the world. It takes something special to do what we do and at the same time be able to even contemplate retirement. We try to be optimists. Unfortunately, there are a few of us who will never make that date with retirement. By the very nature of our job, we are at risk everyday of losing our lives, either at the hand of some deranged individual or in some other situation that we, by virtue of our occupation, may be unable to avoid. Some people have recognized the hazardous duties we involve ourselves in, the risks we take, and the pride we take in accomplishing that job. There is National Law Enforcement Week, dedicated to us who gladly accept the responsibility of protecting the citizens in our respective jurisdictions. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the line of duty. These are but a two examples of remembrances specifically for law enforcement personnel. Remembrances that come but once a year. We should remind fellow officers of another type of remembrance, one that will last a lifetime. Sooner or later, a doctor will pronounce us dead. It is inevitable. Regardless of whatever happens, death is the end we will all have to face.
“IT IS IN DEATH THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER”
Author Unknown

Jim Moore
New Orleans P.D., Retired

August 12, 2005