Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The last time that I actually remember seeing Christopher Cortijo was back in Year 1994, when He attended one of my “Officer Survival” classes. With permission of Former LAPD SWAT Sergeant Frank Mika (RIP), and the commanding officer for LAPD‘s Training Bureau, I was permitted to create an entirely-different class for motor officers. With the assistance of my partner (Curtis Woodle), my experiment proved to be “so-radical” and “thought-provoking,“ that what Curtis and I did during those classes, became standard training for hundreds of LAPD motor officers. My study was later included in a book which was published by Calibre Press. Having my study included in a book published by one of the foremost-recognized group of law enforcement subject matter experts in-the-world, what was not only surprising, but also quite-gratifying. However, what was more-gratifying, is what I will share here regarding Officer Cortijo and one of His Fellow Classmates, who had attended those classes of mine.:

A few months after those special motor officer classes had ended, I received a telephone call from Officer Cortijo. Being A Former United States Marine, Officer Coritjo stated that he felt compelled to call me, because of my Marine background. He asked me if I had heard about a recent LAPD traffic enforcement vehicle pullover officer-involved-shooting (OIS) involving one of his fellow classmates. When I informed him that I had not, He went-on to provide details of the OIS, and He stated that it was because of what Curtis and I had taught during those classes, that a suspect armed with a handgun, lying-in-wait in the backseat of a car (and waiting to ambush the motor officer), was instead, shot by the motor officer, and was later taken-into-custody, without further incident.

It is a bit ironic that after so many such “hairy situations” during His 26 year career,“ Officer Cortijo (who had arrested more than 3000 DUI suspects), while stopped for a red light, would fall as the result of an alleged DUI driver.

(May You Rest - In - Peace, Devil Dawg)

Semper Fi,
“Major Pain”

P. S.: A donation account for Officer Cortijo’s family was set up by the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union.

Michael B. Parlor

April 10, 2014

Semper Fidelis

Sgt M.R. Frost
Lexington Va Police

April 10, 2014

May GOD be with your family and friends Officer Cortijo during this difficult time. Thank you for your service to your country and your community. Your service will inspire many in the future.

Retired Sgt. Charles Carty
Benton AR. Police Dept.

April 10, 2014

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Police Officer Chris Cortijo. Another Hero taken too soon. May God comfort you and your family as you go and touch the face of God.
Your honorable service and sacrifice and bravery to the citizens of Los Angeles, California will not be forgotten. God Speed and God Bless. Rest in Peace Sir.

Final Salute

VIPS 750 Jeff Claybern
Alexandria Kentucky Police Department

April 10, 2014

Rest in Peace Officer Cortijo, thank you for your years of Service to your Country and to the citizens of Los Angeles. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and fellow Officers of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Susan Ball
Judicial Process Server, Brevard County Sheriff's Office

April 10, 2014

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

April 10, 2014

God bless Officer Cortijo's family, friends and coworkers and give them strength and peace to get through their grief and pain. Thank you for your service brother.

Sergeant Clark O. Parry
Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, New York

April 10, 2014

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

April 10, 2014

May the family's fond memories help them through this difficult time.

Patrol Officer (former)
Greeley Police Department

April 10, 2014

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

Abraham Lincoln

Sgt. E. Kemmer #142
Nevada Highway Patrol

April 10, 2014

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God, Matt 5:9

May you Rest in Peace

Joseph May, Commander
Simi Valley Police Department

April 10, 2014

Police Officer Chris Cortijo rest in peace you are
now a member of an elite group The Thin Blue Line
of Heroes. There is no greater sacrifice that one can give
for his fellow man. To the Family I salute your lost loved one,
and pray for you during the days to come. Chris will be in
the company of heroes forevermore.

The Thin Blue Line of the Fallen are Standing at attention
in their class “A“ uniforms, badges gleaming and shoes like glass,
They 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 hallowed place.
As you march down the Thin Blue Line of the Fallen, all eyes are
focused on you as if to say it will be ok you’re with your eternal
partners. A salute follows and a tear can be seen on so many faces.
Welcome, you served well. Now come join the ranks, another member
of The Thin Blue Line has come home.



Your Brother in Law enforcement

Dr. stan phillips Usa Ret, Ms, Bs
Walnut Grove Ms Police, Lt. retired

April 10, 2014

IN HONORE CASORUM
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. We shall keep the promise to never forget him or his sacrifice

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Poice Department, Ohio

April 10, 2014

There are absolutely no words that can express how full of sorrow I am for your loss. Years ago, I was a reserve officer assigned to Central Traffic, and I worked very closely with motor officers on the DUI Team. Even though I’ve been gone from LAPD for quite some time and now work for another police department, I’m still LAPD in my heart. This tremendous and tragic loss cuts like a knife. I’m proud to have been a part of LAPD and especially proud to have worked with my beloved BCMCs. My heart aches and my tears fall. I pray that every loss our police family suffers will be the last, though I know it will not. Chris Cortijo joins the many officers who have gone before him and who now watch over and protect us. To Chris’s family and friends, God bless you. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of loss. To my LAPD family, I say the same. To Ofcr Cortijo, thanks for your many years of dedicated service and your love for the job. Rest easy now, my brother. We have the watch.

Pam Hall, Retired LAPD Reserve Officer
Federal Way Police Department, Washington

April 10, 2014

RIP, prayers for the family.

Sgt Ron Cromer Retired
Martin Co Sheriff's Office, Stuart, FL

April 10, 2014

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 H. Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 10, 2014

Officer Cortijo,
May you rest in Heavenly Peace. May your family be forever watched over and blessed. May your friends and colleagues find comfort. Please watch over us from on high.
We will see you again dear Sir.
Thank you for your service. I will never forget your sacrifice or the sacrifice of your family.
Greater Love Hath No Man....
Prayers for all involved.

Kristi
Surviving Daughter of Special Agent J. Robert Porter
Federal Bureau of Investigation
E.O.W. 8/9/79

April 10, 2014

Prayers for your family during this tragic time in their lives. We lost a daughter to the same nonsense. Your dedication, devotion, and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

April 10, 2014

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim

April 10, 2014

Please accept my sincere condolences for the tragic loss of Officer Cortijo. This is a double loss for me as a retired LEO and a Marine veteran.
I pray that the offender will be severely punished. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time.

Rest in peace brother.
Semper Fidelis

P.O. (Ret) Donald Current
New York PD # 2461

April 10, 2014

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

POLICE OFFICER
NAPERVILLE IL POLICE DEPT

April 10, 2014

RIP Motorman.

Motor Officer
Prince William County PD

April 10, 2014

CHRIS HAS GONE TO MOTOR HEAVEN, ALONG WITH THE MANY OTHERS. DO NOT WORRY, HE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF FRIENDS.

OFFIECER A. HERRERA # 9878
RET. CHP MOTOR OFFICER 92-M-4

April 10, 2014

Rest in Peace...Semper Fi

Detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

April 10, 2014

Another "Hero" taken.
You helped make this world a safer place to live.
May God grant you eternal peace.
Prayers to your loved ones and to your department.

Det./Motor Officer Billy Russo (Ret.)
Nassau County Police Dept., NY

April 10, 2014