Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Cortez,

It's only been one year since you were taken from us, but I will never forget that day because soon after I started my law enforcement career in Maryvale where you worked. I didn't know you myself and wish I could have met you because I've only heard great things from numerous other officers.

You lived your life with a purpose and stood for what is right. You are greatly missed by all. Rest In Peace brother. Maryvale Precinct "8 The Hard Way"

Police Officer
Phoenix PD

July 28, 2008

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for our community. May God bless your family and comfort them with the memories of the love you shared with them.

Dana

July 28, 2008

You are not forgotten Brother. Your family, friends and fellow officers are in our thoughts and prayers.

AZ Narc

July 27, 2008

George,

Its been a whole year since that horrible day, I just want to let you know that we are still thinking about you, watch over us in 8, we know you will

Police Officer
Phoenix PD

July 26, 2008

My Angel
We all think about you everyday and miss you so much, we know with great comfort that you are watching over us and protecting us from above, however all the while needing you so much. I see more of you in Koltan & Gunner every day, they talk about you all the time and know that you would be here if you could, but that God needed you more, and he must have to take my only child back home, I know we will see each other again, until then just know you are always in my thoughts and I love and miss you so much......
Love Mom
XOXOXO

Ellen Cortez
Mother

June 24, 2008

George,

I always looked forward to stopping by your office at Enforcement Support and listening to the recent joke or story you had to tell. Or when we would work overtime together at Madison or Estrella Jails... "Fun times" You helped me become a better Officer. Quite sometime ago I left MCSO and began a career in health and fitness, and an a General Manager at a gym in Glendale. Many of my staff knew you from high school and they talk about you often. You touched many lives and I am proud to have known and served with you.
You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Shyler Seamons, Former Detention Officer
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

May 28, 2008

You haven't even been gone a year so I can imagine how painful this must still be for your families. I was surprised at how young you were and to have already worked in L.E. for 4 years. You received your calling early! I am so sorry for your loss, especially in such senseless circumstances. I hope justice is done, but if not, I know that vengeance is the Lord's and He will repay! He is not only loving, but He is just. My heart goes out to those missing you and we are remembering you on this Memorial Day week-end. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Gone too soon!
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

May 25, 2008

much love brother, cause of warriors like you are loves ones are safe at night.

ofc pitones
LAPD

May 19, 2008

Officer Cortez, We were at the State Memorial this past Monday when they read your name and engraved it on the Wall. It was my honor to have met your wife in the bathroom. What a wierd place to have met I know ,but my heart and soul went out to her and your sons. She is so young and beautiful and yet she wears the sadness as all of us widows do when our man leaves this earth and leaves us alone to deal with life and all lifes shortcomings. I wish your family all the best, and of course I hope you are looking down on them and smiling. I know you have met my wonderful husband Ray, I know you all were there Monday night.And Ill bet because we have a daughter your age he feels he needs to watch over you and protect you as he did our daughters:-) God Speed Officer Cortez, Rest In Peace.
Love, Christy Rios and children.
wife of fallen officer Ramon M. Rios Jr. D.P.D. 520 E.O.W.9/04/05

Christy Rios and Family
Wife of Ramon M. Rios D.P.D. 520 E.O.W. 9/04/05

May 9, 2008

The boys and I LOVE and MISS you so much!! We talk about you all the time and they know you are our special angel watching over us!! Miss you baby!! XOXOXOXO We love you!!

Tiffany Cortez
Wife

April 6, 2008

Not a day goes by that I don't miss you. The tears still flow regularly. You make me proud warrior. I love you.

Mike Jacques
Uncle

February 4, 2008

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Cortez. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for George, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember George's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that George's life was about so much more than the way he died. George will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Cortez, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost five years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

December 30, 2007

Merry Christmas George, we miss you and love you.
Tiffany and the boys are are getting along, but not without difficulty. Take care hero, you will always be in our hearts. Your father-in-law, Tom. . .

Captain Tom Tyo
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

December 24, 2007

El mayor reconocimiento se obtiene en el Campo de Batalla, en la linea de fuego, por tu honesto sacrificio... en tu honor continuaremos la batalla contra el crimen. Que DIOS te tenga en su Gloria,que DIOS bendiga y cuide por siempre a tu familia.

LOS HEROES COMO TU VIVEN POR SIEMPRE.

Sgt. Juan Padilla # 8-4554
Manatí City Police, Puerto Rico

December 2, 2007

Every officer that wears the blue patch with our famous bird is a sister or brother to me. You put your life on the line to make the streets safer and i wish you were still here with us today. The persons that did this to you will be sorry for what they have done. 834 Henry Good Night Sir you will be deeply missed

SGT Butcher
Phoenix Police

November 20, 2007

WE WILL NOT FORGET YOU OR THE FAMILY YOU LEFT HERE ON EARTH, WATCH OVER US HELP KEEP US SAFE.

WITH MUCH RESPECT,
JUST ANOTHER OFFICER FROM MARYVLE PRECINCT

Police Officer
Phoenix Police, Maryvale precinct

November 13, 2007

George, I met your mother tonight. I thanked her for your service and I told her that you are a true hero. I never met her before. I never met you before. But when I found out that she was your Mother I had to thank her. I hand to thank her for raising you and I had to thank her for your service to our community. I told her that you were a soldier too and that I will find your grave and place a flag on it. Peace be with you brother and I'll see you in the afterlife. You are a true hero.

Sergeant Puebla
National Guard

October 20, 2007

Thank you for serving this city. My brother knew you and talked with you often and misses you greatly. As a former police dispatcher my heart breaks for each one of you every day as you all get hurt somehow, somewhere everyday. Thank you again for your service and may God be with you and your family always.

October 8, 2007

To the freinds and family of George, you all have another angel watching over you so, smile often and live a happy full life in the honor of his memory. To his sons, know your father was a hero and make him proud-How can you miss, with all these wonderful people he surrounded you with!

Officer J.C. Drummond
Az Dept. of Public Safety

October 1, 2007

God rest his soul.
Bill NY

September 23, 2007

Mrs Cortez,
I was visiting Arizona from my own country when this terrible thing happened.My heart broke for you . You and your little children have remained in my thoughts and prayers ever since.May The Lord bless you, your children and your wonderful husband.

September 21, 2007

Dear Officer Cortez,

I wanted to thank you for the service and protection you gave us on July 27, 2007. I was one of the members of the community you protected that night because we drove to Phoenix to attend the Rush concert at Cricket Pavilion. During the show we noticed the police helicopter flying overhead, but didn't find out why until we got back to Tucson that night. Your service is much appreciated because you kept my husband, unborn daughter and I safe while we visited. I gave birth to her the following Friday.
I am sorry that you were called to another watch, but your service here will never be forgotten. You will be in good company on your new watch because my brother in law, Tim Graham is there, too. He was a deputy with the Pima County Sheriffs Dept. There are similarities with you two, hopefully your paths will cross. When they do, tell him his new niece, Morgan Ainsley, sends her love. Your family is in our prayers, and your sacrifice will always be remembered.

Always, Julie Lewis

Julie Lewis

September 16, 2007

May you watch over us as we continue protecting our communities.

To the Cortez Family,
You are in our prayers and we will not forget about you.

The O'Connell Family

O'Connell #5849 CFFC
Phoenix Police Department

September 13, 2007

Was leaving my meeting thursday, and i saw your memorial at Enforcement Support. Its hard to know that things like this happen everyday, that such precious lives are taken everyday for no appearant reason. May you rest in peace.

Explorer J.W.Beeks
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

September 8, 2007

George is and will always be one of the special ones - he made you feel special and loved - you, Tif, and the boys became a part of our family during your teenage years we saw you at your best and not so best - we loved everything about you and miss you everyday - not one single day goes by that we don't think of you, Tif and the boys we know you are there keeping watch - we love and miss you - Rest and Peace our sweet Georgie

Special Friend

September 7, 2007