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Gilbert Cortez
Incident
Sergeant Gilbert Cortez and K9 Mattie were killed in an automobile accident Route 79, near San Felipe Road, in San Diego County.
Sergeant Cortez was part of a convoy of state corrections K9 officers who were en route to inspect the La Cima Fire Camp in a rural part of the county. His marked vehicle veered off the roadway and overturned, killing K9 Mattie. Sergeant Cotez was transported to a local fire station but died before a helicopter could reach him.
Sergeant Cortez had served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 23 years and was assigned to the Southern Regional K-9 Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Cortez gave the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Cortez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has lost 42 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Gilbert is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gilbert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 1 officer at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1997, with 2.
In 2013, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 2013, 56 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2013, 64 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gilbert was 46. Of the 7 lost to accidents at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation whose age is recorded, half were between 43.5 and 52; the middle age was 48. Gilbert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Gilbert was 46. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Gilbert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Gilbert was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gilbert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gilbert was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gilbert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.3% of these deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; September holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 14.3%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 14.6%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 42 deaths at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has 42 officers remembered here, Gilbert among them.
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William Leopold Cotter Jul 27, 1903
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John Drewry
Oct 16, 1914
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Branch Martin Miller Aug 20, 1925
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Charles Bartholemew Gillies Nov 24, 1927
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Ray Tyree Singleton
Nov 24, 1927
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Albert Henry Fiess Apr 13, 1934
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Harry E. Martin Sep 19, 1937
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Clarence Larkin
Sep 24, 1937
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Willard Johnston
Feb 24, 1938
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Vern Adolph Mackin Jan 14, 1952
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Charles Wiget
Jan 14, 1952
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Frank Rankin, Jr.
Jan 30, 1960
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Connie Prock
Jun 26, 1963
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Ralph Canning
Apr 23, 1965
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John V. Mills
Jan 16, 1970
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William C. Shull
Jul 23, 1970
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Robert J. McCarthy
Mar 4, 1971
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Kenneth E. Conant
May 19, 1971
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Leo G Davis
Jul 21, 1971
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Frank P DeLeon
Aug 21, 1971
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Jere Patrick Graham
Aug 21, 1971
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Paul Krasenes
Aug 21, 1971
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Ronald L. Turner
Sep 16, 1971
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Jesus Sanchez
Oct 6, 1972
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Jerry Sanders
Nov 27, 1973
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Richard Ochoa Apr 26, 1976
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Victor A. Sam
Aug 21, 1977
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Albert William Patch
Aug 17, 1980
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Charles Sickles
Apr 1, 1981
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Howell Dean Burchfield
Jun 8, 1985
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Lyle Herman
Jun 29, 1988
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Judith Ann Henkel
Feb 3, 1995
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Paul B. Beridon
Sep 11, 1997
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Mylene G. Zalar
Sep 11, 1997
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Manuel Ariza Gonzalez, Jr.
Jan 10, 2005
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Gilbert Cortez
Mar 25, 2013
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Armando Jr Gallegos Jr.
Sep 14, 2018
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Daniel Lopez Mendoza, III
May 30, 2020
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Richard Allan Bianchi
Jun 25, 2020
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Jose Alfredo Diramos Kates
Jul 11, 2020
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Gilbert Polanco
Aug 9, 2020
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Joshua Lemont Byrd
Jul 17, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
