Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David Ortiz succumbed to injuries sustained four days earlier when his police motorcycle was intentionally struck from behind at the intersection of Lee Trevino Drive and Vista Del Sol Drive.
The impact pushed his motorcycle into the vehicle in front of him, and he became trapped underneath one of the vehicles involved in the crash. He was able to be pulled from underneath the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle who struck him was under the influence of heroin and Xanax. Witnesses testified that the man intentionally switched lanes at a high rate of speed before striking Patrolman Ortiz. The subject, a known gang member, fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended. In January 2017 he plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Patrolman Ortiz had served with the El Paso Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the Pebble Hills Region Command.
Survivors
Patrolman Ortiz is survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2E83BBCE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ortiz gave the El Paso Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the El Paso community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ortiz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman David Ortiz is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At El Paso Police Department, 23 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Ortiz's cause is highlighted.
How David Ortiz Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Ortiz is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Ortiz was killed by automobile; narcotics involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from El Paso Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
