Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy brother

Sgt. J. Sawyer A7979
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

March 26, 2013

Rest In Peace Sgt. Cortez and K-9 Mattie. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at California Department of Corrections.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

March 26, 2013

My sympathy and thanks for your service Sgt. Cortez. Your service is a vital part of law enforcement that seldom receives the respect due. Your partner, Mattie will accompany you in your next duty station. God Bless and God Speed.

Retired Chief John R. Graham

March 26, 2013

Rest in Peace Brother

Lt. A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Virginia

March 26, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Supervisory FAM, Thomas Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 26, 2013

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, SERGEANT GILBERT CORTEZ AND K9 MATTIE.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Officer and his K9 partner Mattie.
We in the law enforcement community are a family.
Though we may wear different uniforms and have different badges, shields or stars pinned upon our chest.
We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are:
Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, county roads and state highways.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a law enforcement family, brothers and sisters bonded together by HONOR, SERVICE and PRIDE.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice.
Daily our position is clear that we will SERVE and PROTECT our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession LAW ENFORCEMENT, for we willingly walk the line of GOOD over EVIL facing the unknown with COURAGE keeping our trust and faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for LAW ENFORCEMENT is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
SERGEANT CORTEZ - K9 MATTIE
You did not die in vain
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens of the State of California with Honor, Pride and Distinction.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have served and protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you BROTHER!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do..........SERVING and PROTECTING your community with HONOR and PRIDE making a better and safer place for us all.

FINAL CALL
SERGEANT CORTEZ STATUS............SERGEANT CORTEZ STATUS............
SERGEANT CORTEZ STATUS......................
ATTENTION ALL UNITS..............CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION, SERGEANT GILBERT CORTEZ AND HIS K9 PARTNER MATTIE HAVING SERVED THE CITIZENS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WITH HONOR, PRIDE AND DISTINCTION IS NOW 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen Brother, YOU AND K9 MATTIE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

March 26, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Cortez's family and everyone at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Rest in peace my brother.

Officer Joe Hoyer
Green Bay Police Department

March 26, 2013

My thoughts are with you, your family and police family.
Thank you for your service.

Brother of Jeremy Chambers
EOW 04-24-2006

Chris Chambers
Saint Louis County Police Dept

March 26, 2013

Avenue of the Fallen

Standing at attention in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass, are your brothers and sisters of Law Enforcement. All of whom have previously paid the ultimate price.
Today, like many others, they welcome you to this wonderful place. As you march down the Avenue of the Fallen, all eyes focus on you as if to say its ok you’re with your eternal partners. A salute is followed and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well.
Now come join us in the ranks, another is coming home.

A brother law enforcement officer
12-25-2010

Sheriff Jim Weaver (Ret.) LAPD (Ret.)
Jerome County, Idaho (Ret.)

March 26, 2013

My deepest condolences to Sgt Cortez's and Mattie's family and the CA Dept of Corrections and Rehab. I know these losses will not be easy for any of you so I pray that God gives you the strength and courage to face the times ahead. Sgt Cortez and Mattie, rest in peace as your lives and service are celebrated.

Linda Topping
Wife of Police Chief

March 26, 2013

May God Bless you brother, and comfort your family in this difficult time. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for your country and community.
You are a hero for how you lived your life, you will forever be remembered for how you lost it.

Corporal
Pennsylvania State Police

March 26, 2013

RIP Brother.

A131
USBP

March 26, 2013

Family, Co-workers, and Friends: We hope knowing that you all are thought of in a kind and loving way will help ease your sorrow and bring peace. With greatest sympathy.

Rita Rocker, Director
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

March 26, 2013

The 51st Basic Detention Officer Training Academy sends our deepest and most heart felt condolences to the Family, Friends, and Co-workers of Sgt. Cortez

During this time, hold on to the memories and good times shared as a source of comfort. Be ever mindful of the pride he embraced when wearing his uniform. R.I.P., Sgt. Cortez

Respectfully Submitted,

Lt. Alicia S. McKinney & the Cadets of B.D.O.T. Academy 51
Durham County Sheriff's Office
Durham, NC

Lt. Alicia S. McKinney
Durham County Sheriff's Office

March 26, 2013

Heroes live forever. Prayers to family and friends.

BLR
Team Texas

March 26, 2013

Rest in peace Brother & Brave K-9....my thoughts are with the family, friends and members of the CDOC during this most difficult and tragic time....

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

March 26, 2013

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. REST IN PEACE.

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE IL POLICE DEPARTMENT

March 26, 2013

Rest in peace Sgt Cortez. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. Godspeed as you and Mattie patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE , DETROIT, MICHIGAN

March 26, 2013

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF SERGEANT CORTEZ, AND ALL THOSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF SERGEANT CORTEZ .
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
HIS SERVICE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND HIS DEEDS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
GOD BLESS

Ret. PO David Herbert
Toronto Police Service, Ont Canada

March 26, 2013

Thank you both for your service. RIP and serve your god now. May peace be bestowed upon your family.

P. Whitesell
Dept of Justice / Federal Bureau of Prisons

March 26, 2013

The Florida Police Chiefs Association would like to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Gilbert Cortez, and the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great sadness. Please take comfort in knowing that your extended law enforcement family grieves with you. Sergeant Cortez, we thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.

Members and Staff
Florida Police Chiefs Association

March 26, 2013

may the almighty lord be with you Sergeant Cortez and your family. Thank you for your dedicated service sir

Court Security Officer Richard E. Wishin
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS,DOVER DELAWARE (RET. NYC CORRECTION DEPT)

March 26, 2013

On behalf of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association, I would like to express our deepest regards and sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Sgt. Gilbert Cortez and his K9 partner Mattie. Gilbert and K9 Mattie gave the ultimate sacrifice..... you may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in peace and thank you for your service.

James A. Cortina
Director / Connecticut Police Work Dog Association

March 26, 2013

Brother, Rest in Peace at Heavens Gate with you faithful Mattie as you watch over family, friends and you brothers and sisters that you have left behind. Thank you for your dedicated service. Thoughts and prayers follow for your loved ones!

Ofc. Frank A. Yevchak Jr., Retired
Upper Saddle River PD, NJ

March 26, 2013

Rest in peace brother

B.P. Sullivan, Cpl. RCMP #48582

March 26, 2013