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Resided:
NM, USA
Born:
Unk
Fallen:
Sep. 17, 1978
Race/Sex:
Caucasian Male
Agency
Dept:
San Miguel County Sheriff's Dept.
NM
USA
Dept. Type:
County/Police
Hero's Rank:
Deputy
Sworn Date:
Unk
FBI Class:
Homicide - Gun
Weapon Class:
Firearm
Bio: Not Available
Fatal Incident Summary
Offender:
No Info
Location:
NM
USA
Sun. Sep. 17, 1978
Summary:
Deputy Ortiz was shot and killed in retaliation for killing a suspect who pointed a gun at him three weeks earlier. Deputy Ortiz was on patrol in the Santa Fe National Forest when he encountered several suspects who were harassing campers. When one of the men pointed a rifle at him he opened fire, killing the suspect. Three weeks later Deputy Ortiz was working on his ranch when he was gunned down by a man with a rifle 200 yards away. The suspect fled and was never identified. Deputy Ortiz was due to resign from the department the following day.
