Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The Reverend Mourns

I received word this day that my nephew George Cortez of the Phoenix PD was shot and killed last night by a person or persons trying to cash a forged check. I mourn this day.

George grew up in a broken home until he and my sister were taken in by my parents. My dad was the father figure to George during those tough impressionable years. George turned out great. He had his issues but was a person that lived by KYFHO.

Friday July 27th, dregs of the society took his life. My nephew, a son, a father, and a husband was killed because two people did not want to work for a living. What a shame.

I am all cried out for this day but I am sure there will be more bad days ahead.

I remember taking George on his first road trip while we both mourned the loss of my father/his grandfather. I even let George drive even though he didn't have his license. As we drove down I-8 on the way to Yuma, I watched George's eyes get heavy and close, knowing that he would drift slightly to the "wake up" bumps that run along that road. I laughed at the look on his face when he hit them. When I asked if he fell asleep, of course he said "NO!!!"

I was proud of George for the way he handled himself through the death of his father figure. I was proud of him the day he graduated High School. I was proud of him the day graduated from the police academy. I am proud of him that he died a warriors death, in battle with the enemy of our society. He was trying to make a difference.

George will be missed by his family and his colleagues.

Reverend Michael Jacques

Reverend Michael Jacques
Uncle

July 29, 2007

Heaven has another Hero.
Rest in Peace, Brother

C.O. MS
ADOC

July 29, 2007

Rest in peace brother, your service and sacrafice will not be forgotten!

Patrolman Jeff Tripp
Marion,Ma Police Dept

July 29, 2007

Officer Cortez-spread your wings and fly. You are now forver an angel. To the family...George is watching you always. God be with you all during this time and for the days, weeks and years to come. Stay strong!

July 29, 2007

On Friday, after the helicopters crashed, my best friend and I discussed how we felt, and our talk drifted back to Don Schultz, and his memorial service, and how all of the news helicopters were there, flying the missing man for him. I had a hard time comprehending it all at that time...I had never known an officer who was killed in the line of duty before Don.

We also talked about this job, and why we do it. She said for most of us, we didn't choose this job, it chose us. It didn't however, choose our families. Each one of us that does this job has a family behind us. They might not like it, helping us get ready, and sending us out every day, knowing that we might not make it home that night, but they still do it. They accept the risks and love us anyhow.

That becomes all the more evident when something like this happens. There's another wife, and 2 boys who will never quite grasp why another human chose to take their daddy's life.

There's a time we all ask WHY? Why did this happen? We will never understand, only try to move on from here. Mrs. Cortez, in the next few days, weeks, months and years, you will find support from places you never thought you would. There is a great group of women, Lisa, Alyssa, Colleen, who know what you are going through and who will be there to help you through it. They've been there, through the first word that your husband isn't coming home till the end of the services, to the days that go by, realizing that this is real, and they will help you through it too.

Officer Cortez, I pray for you and your entire family, that they will find the peace to move through this, and know that you didn't die in vain. Your life will stand to serve as example for many of us that will come after you, and who will serve as you served. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, your family's sacrifice will not be forgotten and your friends sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace sir.

Aimee
Phoenix Police Department

July 29, 2007

God bless you and your family

Detective
Cranford Police Dept (NJ)

July 29, 2007

On behalf of the entire Dublin PD and families, we extend our heartfelt sympathy as you live through, and begin to
rebuild your lives. The most importatnt personal thought I can send is to help each other, keep the Cortez family
surrounded by your familiar faces, and never abandon or
forget to include them in activities as they have give the
ultimate and should be honored always.
We have friends and relarives in your area, and they will
be on the route to honor not just the Cortez family, but the entire Department, as you move through the protocol.
God be with each of you, and know that your lose is truly felt by each of us. If not by the Grace of God, there go any of us.

Sgt Bruce M Rank Motors/Traffic
Dublin Police Department

July 29, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. It effects all of us as police when a fellow brother has fallen.

Deputy Brian Laverty # 3272
Wayne County Sheriff dept MICHIGAN

July 29, 2007

As we mourn the loss of a motor cop here at LAPD, I extend my sincere condolences to the Phoenix Police Department Family. It is sad that the crash of two news helicopters televising a vehicle pursuit, has overshadowed the news regarding a Phoenix officer being killed in the line-of-duty.

Less than 24 hours prior to this tragic incident, I conducted Roll Call training and reminded the Watch why LAPD (unlike most other California agencies), handles forgery suspect radio calls as a high-priority call. On 02/01/1964, we had three cops shot and two of them died (RIP ENDLER, R. and MONAGHAN, C. P.).

Officer Cortez:

May You Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

July 29, 2007

Words can not express the loss of a Hero. The Void in so many lives when a Brother falls in the line of duty. You were a hero George and your family are blessed to have had you in there midst, The City of Phoenix were blessed to have you on the streets protecting them, OUr prayer will be for your love ones and for you....God bless.

Former Police officer Peter Day
san Bernardino Police

July 29, 2007

May you Rest in Peace Sir....................

Officer Thomas Wiederhold #1890
Fort Worth Police,Tx

July 29, 2007

"A Letter From Heaven"
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from Heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and he said,'I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.'
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....In the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human they are bound to bring tears.
But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you would not understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one step at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you to;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented...that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low:
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go...from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.
I will always be with you!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Canon City, Colorado

Marilyn Robinson
CC-Pirate Internet Radio

July 29, 2007

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND BE AN ANGEL OVER YOUR FAMILY. IM VERY SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR SON, HUSBAND AND FATHER IF IT WASNT FOR A PERSON LIKE OFFICER CORTEZ JR. WE WOULD NOT BE SAFE IN OUR CITIES.
GARY AND YANA RAIBURG, LAS VEGAS NV.

CIVILIAN G RAIBURG

July 29, 2007

MAY OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS BRING COMFORT TO OFFICER CORTEZ'S FAMILY AND THE PHOENIX PD DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. REST IN PEACE.

GOD BLESS YOU, BROTHER IN BLUE.

DETECTIVE RUTILO QUEZADA
SMITH COUNTY SHERIFF TYLER, TX

July 29, 2007

Although we have never met, you were and will always be my brother. Rest In Peace George.

Jerry

Illinois Investigator

July 29, 2007

To the family for Officer Cortez, our heartfelt sorrow at your loss. As a family of Officer James Shields, Buffalo NY P.D., we feel your loss. God be with you at this time.
Jeannette Shields
Parent of Jimmy Shields
E.O.W. 10/30/02

Jeannette Shields
Secretary, WNY C.O.P.S.

July 29, 2007

Officer Rest in Peace.

C.O. STEPHEN CELESTINO
Westchester County dept. of Correction.NY

July 29, 2007

May your wife and children find comfort in knowing that you lived a hero. Rest in peace and watch over us as we continue the good fight...

Patrolman
Ohio

July 29, 2007

Rest in peace brother. We've got the watch from here. May God bless your family, friends and fellow officers who all mourn the loss of yet another hero.

Motor Officer Dominick Marraccini
Easton Police Department, Easton, PA

July 29, 2007

REST IN PEACE, DEAR OFFICER CORTEZ. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A HERO AND YOUR STAR WILL SHINE ON THE HEAVENS WITH OTHER HEROS. GOD GIVE YOU ETERNAL PEACE.
MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW OFFICERS ON THE LOSS OF THEIR LOVED ONE. GOD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU COMFORT.
SINCERELY,
ELFRIEDE HALL
(WIDOW OF FALLEN SHERIFF BOYD L. HALL, TETON COUNTY, WYO.
LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Mrs. Elfriede Hall
Widow of slain Boyd L. Hall

July 29, 2007

Somebody killed a policeman today and a part of America died. Rest in peace young brother and thank you for your service.

nc game warden

July 29, 2007

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Police Officer George Cortez Jr as well as to the Phoenix Police Department. Rest in peace Officer Cortez, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch, CTO
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

July 29, 2007

Yet another needless death of a fine officer. I hope the bum who did this fries.
Rest in peace Officer Cortez, My thoughts and sympathy are with your family.
God bless.

Constable
Northumbria Police, England.

July 29, 2007

Rest in Peace George. My prayers go out to your family, you will be missed friend. Thank you for your service and sacrifice you've given. You WILL never be forgotten, Rest in Peace brother

Officer Lopez
Phoenix Police Dept

July 29, 2007

Rest in peace my brother

We'll take it from here

God Bless You

Patrol Officer Doug Hunt
Glendale Arizona

July 29, 2007