Prev
Incident
Police Officer Francis Ortega was shot and killed during a traffic stop in front of the Pine Lake Post Office in the 4500 block of Rockbridge Road SW.
Officer Ortega and his partner approached the vehicle, obtained paperwork from the driver, and then returned to their patrol car. As they sat in the patrol car, they were approached by the suspect. When the officers exited their vehicle, a struggle ensued.
The suspect was able to put Officer Ortega in a headlock and then shoot him in the head. Officer Ortega's partner and the suspect exchanged gunfire as the man fled into the post office.
The suspect, who was wanted for violating his supervised release from prison, committed suicide inside the post office as the DeKalb County SWAT Team attempted to gain entry.
Officer Ortega had served as a part-time officer for the Pine Lake Police Department for two years, and was a full-time officer with the Georgia Department of Human Resources Police.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, daughter, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp9t77nm514zjh021b5z- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Francis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ortega gave the Pine Lake Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pine Lake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ortega.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Francis is the only officer of Pine Lake Police Department remembered here.
Francis is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Francis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Francis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Francis was 25. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 25. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Francis was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Francis had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Pine Lake Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Pine Lake Police Department are honored on badge.nw.