Roll of Honor
Incident
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 in Rociada, NM near Maestas Canyon 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.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, his sister, and other family members.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NM-6BB2D243- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ortiz served with the San Miguel County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Las Vegas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ortiz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Juan Leo Ortiz is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Miguel County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Juan Leo Ortiz's cause is highlighted.
How Juan Leo Ortiz Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Juan Leo Ortiz is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Juan Leo Ortiz was killed by rifle; .300 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Miguel County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
