As you remember these fallen officers, take comfort in recalling that they dedicated their lives to the same principles of honor, duty and courage that brought you to the badge. Such a life is truly rich. Take strength in knowing that when an officer falls, our resolve to serve those in need is not diminished. Our dedication to protecting those in danger is not weakened. Our commitment to remembering those with whom we shared the badge does not fade.

Godspeed, brothers and sisters. You fought the good fight. Now rest in peace�

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August 11, 2005

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Ga. Officer slain during traffic stop

Officer Down: Francis Ortega - [Pine Lake, Georgia]

Biographical Info

Age: 25

Additional Info: Officer Ortega had been a part-time officer with the Pine Lake department since March of this year. He was also a full-time officer at the Georgia Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Officer Ortega was shot and killed while responding as back up to a traffic stop.

Date of Incident: August 11, 2005

Suspect Info: The suspect, Cedric O'Neal Gordon, ran into a nearby post office where he and police exchanged gun fire. He was found shot and killed inside the post office; it is unclear as to whether he killed himself or was killed by police.

WXIA-TV Atlanta, News 11

PINE LAKE, Ga. -- A man shot a police officer to death, ran inside a post office and then apparently killed himself following a traffic stop gone bad Thursday, authorities said. A witness said the gunman was holding the officer hostage when he shot him point-blank in front of the building.

Gunfire was exchanged between the shooter and another officer before the gunman fled into the post office and it was surrounded by police. All four postal employees had managed to escape through the back and it was not immediately known if any customers were inside at the time, said Paul Krenn, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The post office had been open when the shooting occurred around 5 p.m. A dozen or more police cars could be seen in television helicopter footage in the streets outside the post office.

For full story, visit: Pine Lake Officer Shot and Killed

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