Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace brother. God bless your family, friends and the agency you served.

Off. Matthew Harrington
Kennebunk, Maine Police Department

March 28, 2013

GOD BLESS SGT. CORTEZ AND HIS K-9 PARTNER. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND CDCR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. LOOK UP MY SON, ANDY AND K-9 ANDY AND ANA WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT HEAVENS GATE, THEY'LL BE LOOKING FOR YOU. REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

FATHER AND FELLOW OFFICER OF
OFC. ANDREW S. DUNN E.O.W. 3-19-11

RET. OFC. MATTHEW S. DUNN
SANDUSKY P.D. (OHIO)

March 28, 2013

For all you did for justice and right, I thank you. I hold your family and friends in my prayers.

God Bless and may you forever Rest in Peace, Brother.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

March 28, 2013

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

March 28, 2013

Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in Peace brother.

Vires et Honorem

Ptlm F J Kapusta
Mohawk Police Department

March 28, 2013

Your corrections brothers and sisters everywhere will long remember and never forget your sacrifice. God bless and be with you, your family and all of our brothers and sisters in the California Dept.of Corrections. We've got the watch.
Rest in peace brother.

Sgt.Paul Schanno Honor Guard Member
State of MN Dept. of Corrections MCF-Stillwater

March 28, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

March 27, 2013

I had the honor of working with Gil for 3 years when he first transferred to CRC. He was very professional, a great partner, taught me a lot, all around great guy who always had a smile. He will surely be missed. My prayers are for his family and friends. May you rest in peace, Gil.

Tom Houlton, retired
CRC

March 27, 2013

Godspeed brother, my heart and prayers go out to your family and fellow K9 Partners. I will always remember the opportunities I had to work with you and your K9 team.

Officer P. Vanderford
California Dept. Of Corrections-CIM/ISP

March 27, 2013

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 27, 2013

My prayers are with your family, friends and loved ones. Rest in Peace brother.

C.S. Warner
Senior Officer Specialist
U.S. Dept. of Justice
Federal Bureau of Prisons
FCC Beaumont, Texas

March 27, 2013

It was a Privilege and Honor to work with Sgt Cortez, then he was an Officer. His kind words, professionalism, integrity, and dedication to his profession were beyond words. We will miss your smile, laugh, and just You. May you always know the love and Respect that you had from all those you encountered. May you sleep with the Angels, and may Mattie and you forever know you are in Our Hearts, and Prayers. Rest In Peace Brother.. We Miss You..

Retired
CA Dept of Corrections (CRC) co-worker

March 27, 2013

Rest in Peace Offic er Cortez & partner K-9 Mattie. 10-42

Det. James P. McGrath(retired)
Schenectady Police Dept.

March 27, 2013

You and Mattie will continue to walk the beat together. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa Burton
GEORGIA CIVILIAN LEO SUPPORTER

March 27, 2013

they can both rest in peace together and forever my heart goes out to his family and his coworkers

cory
security agent

March 27, 2013

May they both rest in peace!

Inspector Leppens S.
Local Police Antwerp (Belgium)

March 27, 2013

Wow terrible news! God bless both of you, may you rest in peace side by side in K9 heaven.

RCM1145/Senior Officer
Orange County, Ca.

March 27, 2013

As you departed the bonds of this earth and touched the face of God, know that the service and dedication you and your partner had for your department, its fellow officers and the citizens of your community will never be forgotten. May God comfort in this time of sorrow your family, your fellow officers and all those whose lives you have touched. You have served your time in hell, now rest comfortably in the arms of God. RIP, we’ll take it from here.

Interim Chief James W. Moore
Gardner, KS Police Department

March 27, 2013

this is very sad, but for Sergeant Cortez and Mattie--may they both be at peace--God Bless them for their service!!

James Chenoweth
Weiser Security--officer

March 27, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with Sgt Cortez's family and his Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Rest in peace.

Deputy Johanna Polo
Monroe County Sheriffs Dept Rochester NY

March 27, 2013

Brother in Blue, we walk the blue line to protect, to serve others before ourselves to weed out the wrong to make right. You will never be forgotten rest in peace Brother.

Transport Officer M. Kouris
North Charleston Police Dept.

March 27, 2013

R.I.P thanks for your servive

Anton Herman
Son of Fallen Officer CA Dept. Corrections Officer Lyle Herman

March 27, 2013

Sgt Cortez & K-9 Mattie, thank you both for your service, may you both rest in peace, both of you are heroes- here and in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, & friends.

A.L., Psy.D.
CA CDCR

March 27, 2013

Rest In Peace my brother. Thank you for your service and dedication. May God Bless your family.

Correctional Officer H. Montoya
Ca. Dept. of Correction Southern Transportation Unit

March 26, 2013

God bless you brother.

Correctional Officer Sean Ewer
Province of Britich Columbia Ministry of Justice

March 26, 2013