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Incident
Police Officer Charlie Cortez died after the 24-foot fisheries enforcement vessel he was in capsized after being struck by a rogue wave in the Puget Sound, Washington, at about 9:00 p.m.
He and his partner had just escorted a distressed boater into Tulalip Bay when their vessel was struck by the wave and capsized. A search was immediately initiated by tribal, local, state, and federal agencies in the area. Officer Cortez's partner was located in the water suffering from hypothermia near Hat Island at about 11:45 p.m. and rescued by tribal fishermen.
Officer Cortez was not located, and due to cold water temperatures and adverse weather conditions, it was determined that Officer Cortez could not have survived. The search and recovery operation was suspended on November 19, 2020.
Officer Cortez had served with the Tulalip Tribal Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, daughter, parents, brother, grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Police Officer Cortez gave the Tulalip Tribal Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tulalip community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cortez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tulalip Tribal Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Charlie is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Charlie is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charlie 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 2020, 3 officers in WA were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 2020, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2020, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charlie was 29. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Charlie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charlie was 29. 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. Charlie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charlie was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charlie had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 15.3% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.7%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Tulalip Tribal Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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
Tulalip Tribal Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charlie among them.
Where
WA
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Tulalip Tribal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
