Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It's heartbreaking when hero's are taken from us by the hands of the criminal. We mourn your passing Officer Cortez and would like to express our grattitude for you sacrifice.

Your actions define what it means to be courageous and you are a true hero in our hearts. May you find the peace that you are deserved and may your family, parents, and sons feel the warmth of our prayers.

Bless you and thank you.

"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Respectfully submitted on behalf of my department,

Officer Matthew Lewek
Menomonee Falls (WI) Police Department

August 8, 2007

Rest in peace Brother.

1773P
CSPD

August 8, 2007

OMNES AD UNUM (all together as one)

RIP Bro.

Art Lowe, Senior Constable (retired)
Ontario Provincial Police

August 8, 2007

Rest in peace, brother. We have the watch from here.

Detective
CMPD

August 8, 2007

May you rest in peace, you sacrifice will not be forgotten. May other officers learn from this so that this loss of such a young and promising life will not be repeated. To Georges family, know that your spouse, your father, your son gave his life to protect the freedoms that we enjoy, while one will never make sense of this loss know that he is with God and he is your personal angel watching over you. I am truly saddened by your loss, he was too young, but in his short life he accomplished more than most will in 80 years.

Ted Stacy
Former LE

August 8, 2007

Officer Cortez,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Phoenix. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

August 7, 2007

Thank you Officer Cortez for your ultimate sacrifice. You gave so selflessly. To Mrs Cortez and the family, you gave the ultimate gift, but you also should be so proud of the man your husband was. What a shining example for your sons to have. God Bless each Officer in Blue, this senseless murder should not have been, please know we civilians so appreciate your protection. God Bless the Cortez's.
Colorado Springs Officer's Mother

CSPD Mom
Colorado Springs Police Department

August 7, 2007

To the Cortez family,
I pray that you find peace and comfort in knowing that George is your special guardian angel who will always be watching over you. I thank Officer Cortez for his bravery and dedication in serving the citizens of Phoenix.
Rest in peace Officer Cortez. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Shannon Sesterhenn

Shannon Sesterhenn

August 7, 2007

"IT IS NOT HOW HE DIED BUT HOW HE LIVED, THAT MAKES HIM A HERO." It is disgusting and sad that such a young, promising life has been taken by this scum. May God bless your family and friends who are left behind to pick up the pieces. THANK YOU for keeping US safe. GODSPEED.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN

August 6, 2007

Police Officer George Valentino Cortez Jr.

Go rest in peace brother, for your job here is done.
May god rest your soul and bless all your loved ones.
Heroes in Life, Not Death

D/C Simon Moussa
Ontario Provincial Police

August 6, 2007

Dear Mrs. Cortez,

My sister who lives in Tempe Arizona just told me of your tragic loss. As a survivor myself, I know how completely lost you may feel. Be at peace knowing that George is with the Lord. He will always be in your and your children's hearts. He will be your very own special angel watching from above. George is a hero and will always be honored as such by his law enforcement community. I will be praying for you and your boys. God bless you all.

Grace
Surviving spouse of Ofr. james F. Knapp, Cook Co.sheriff, IL. Eow:04 Jan.2006

Lt. Grace M. Knapp (Retired)
Cook County Sheriff

August 6, 2007

Tiffany, Kolton & Gunner,

I like so many others feel the loss of George as well, and feel it so unfair for him to be taken away so soon. But he was doing something he loved to do and thats being an cop.
I live down the street (on Brown) from where he grew up with Brad and Matt. I remember his "Big red truck". I can remember seeing you as well in the truck and would laugh when I was you in it. Wondering how you got in there, you looked so little. With a big smiles on yours and George's faces.
Just remember you still have alot to live for theres a lot of people who love and your son's. I see alot of the two of you in them.
I know the words you hear don't and won't ever take away the pain but I hope in time it will be easyer to except.
As for Kolton and Gunner, your Daddy IS and always be a great man. He did alot of good things for people. When you feel like you and your mommy are all alone just look up to the heavens above, and you'll see the brightest star look pass that and you'll see your Daddy looking at you with a smile telling you to help him take care of your mommy, and he loves you very much.

God bless you all.

Val Savage
neighbor

August 6, 2007

It still makes my heart go cold when I learned of yet another person being killed in the line of duty. This time being so close to the place I live just makes me thankful for all the officers that are still out there watching out for us. Unfortunately the good, selfless and caring people lose their lives while trying to protect others. My deepest condolences to the Cortez family. Your hero will not be forgotten.

Celia Webb

August 6, 2007

Officer Cortez, thank you for your totally brave and selfless service. My prayers and tears are with your wife, sons, both of your families, friends, and all your Police brothers and sisters. May the Almighty comfort you all.

So young to have left us... so wonderful your duty and service. When any Officer gives the ultimate sacrifice, it diminishes us all.

I pray that your sons grow to know you and your bravery. I can only begin to fathom the sense of loss and shock to Mrs. Cortez. God be with you, ma'am.

Timothy Reise
Nashville, TN (cousin of Chicago Police officer)

August 6, 2007

My sincere condolences to the Family of Officer Cortez, and extended Law Enforcement brothers & Sisters. What a tragedy to befall a young officer in the beginning of his career. Or ANY officer, for that matter.

In viewing the services that were televised, I was overwhelmed with emotion as I heard his close friends discribe George and his personality. I experienced these emotions in 2001 when we lost Jason Lopez (EOW 5/01),and these emotions flooded my livingroom.

Officer Cortez died a Hero's death, but these words will probably sound empty to his wife and his mother. In time, and with God's help, this emptiness will be filled with thoughts, pictures, but most important, with the love for the two sons (grandsons) that Officer Cortez left behind as his legacy.

Rest in Peace little brother, and sleep with the Angels.

Belia Fessenden
Retired #112 Pinal Co SO

August 5, 2007

God bless & R.I.P

Ofcr MW Moore 3176
FWPD

August 5, 2007

I extend my deep sympathy to your family. I was married to a police officer for 28 years and had 6 children. There was never a day that he worked that I did not fear for his life. Officer George Cortez, exemplifies, the true spirit of defense for the law ,protection and service to his fellow man. He gave his life, for righousness. I will keep his young family in my prayers. You have lost your friend and loved one, and we have lost a great hero! I now think of Officer George, as a Angel in the heavenly army of Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Police Officers. He will be watching over all of us now.
Denise Hansen

August 5, 2007

August 5, 2007
Dear Cortez family,
Tiffany and sons, Iam deeply sorry that such a wonderful person was taken from your family and this community. Your husband, father, brother and son passed away protecting all of us. Words, flowers, cards and any amount of money will never replace the love of your life and how he sacraficed for all of us. I hope you know that our hearts are broken as well. Your husband, father, brother, and son loved you all very much. He will continue to watch and protect you all from the heavens above. Only time can heal a broken heart. Dont be afraid to cry and show your emotions. Its healthy to let it all out. But smile every now and then too. Remember the memories. Look to your children for peace and know that your beloved is living inside them. I am the daughter of a retired officer....and though I never lost my father, I can emagine what your going through right now.I wish you and your family, close friends and fellow officers lots of love and peace. I hope after your wounds heal and you are ready, you will go to beauty school and pursue your dream. I know it will be hard, but do it for GEORGIE... he will be smiling down at you and supporting you the whole way through. God bless you all...I know you dont know me and you already have tons of support.....but if you ever should need a shoulder to cry on or someone to talk to, or even a head to experiment on, I will be there. We will all be there. George was here for us, and we will be here for you and your children in honor of his memory. I will always give my two gilrs an extra hug and kiss at nite before I put them to sleep. one for each of your boys. With lots of love
[email protected]
(PHOENIX, AZ)

August 5, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the young family of Officer Cortez. It is such a shame that his young life had to be taken away from his wife and children. He died a HERO! Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace Officer Cortez!

Officer Christine Zaporowski #1034
Henderson Police Dept (Nevada)

August 5, 2007

Tiffany I am so sorry for the lost of your Hunsand I watch it all of the furnel that was heart break I am prayer for you and your two sons Love jen

Jennie
Friend

August 5, 2007

May God bless you and your family. You are a true hero. This coward will have to face our maker. You will never be forgotten. You chose the good fight. We have it down here, but please watch over us. Thank you for your sacrafice.

P.O. PCS
Chicago Police Department 011 District

August 5, 2007

To Tiffany and the boys,

I am just heartbroken at the loss of your husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Officer Cortez was a hero, and I know that God has made a special place in Heaven for him. I hope you can take comfort in knowing that the community cares about you and that we, too, are grieving your loss.

The following is a reminder to each of us of the sacrifices our brave police officers make every day . . .

A COP ON THE TAKE
Author Unknown

First he takes the oath. Now look at what else he takes:
He takes it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes his lousy pay check realizing he'll never be rich.
He takes a second job sometimes to make ends meet and support his family.
He takes time to stop and talk to children.
He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes your injured child to the hospital.
He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes his life into his hands daily.
He takes you home when your car breaks down.
He takes time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes the job no one else wants -- telling you a loved one has died.
He takes criminals to jail.
He takes in sights that would make you cry. Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway, because someone has to.
He takes memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
He takes time to explain to his family why he can't make the ball game his child is in and why he has to work on the holiday, when other parents are off.
Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And, yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
Then one day, he pays for all he has taken and, hopefully, God takes him.

I hope that the officers I gave these words to at the memorial service know that the community supports them and are very grateful for all the things that they "take" for us.

To my brother-in-law and any other officer who reads these reflection pages: Thank you.

Rest in peace, Officer Cortez. We will never forget you.

Sincerely,

Cathy Jacobs
Phoenix

August 5, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We will not forget.

Officer Krivitz 313
Billings Montana Police Department

August 5, 2007

To the family (including LE) of Officer Cortez:
You have my deepest sympathy for your loss of Officer Cortez. My heart goes out to Mrs. Cortez and her two beautiful sons.

I am proud of every police officer I see, and I always smile when I see one pass me by. But I pray I would never have to cry over a fallen one again. I appreciate the service Ofc. Cortez provided for this state as well as the city, and he will always be remembered.

"Heroes live forever"

Police Explorer G. Gonzalez
Phoenix PD

August 4, 2007

First i want to start by saying i really didnt know alot about him but i did know him. I met him quite a few different times. When i told him that i was going to school to become a csi or a a detective he told me that under no circumstances should i ever give up. Even though it might be hard never give up. It would all be worth it in the end. He also told me to keep my head up and to smile because once i was done with classes he hoped to see me out there on the force too.
To Ellen:
You did a great job in raising George to become the man that he was.
To Tiffany:
Know that he will always be here in spirit through you Kolton and Gunner.You will always be in our hearts and prayers. You will always be family.
To Kolton and Gunner:
Your dad will always be a hero. He will always live on in spirit through you. You will always be in our hearts and prayers.
Rest in Peace and may justice be served.

Jennipher Shepherd And Caden Pope
Friend

August 4, 2007