Sgt Jon
08-14-2008, 14:52
(Puerto Rico)
UPDATE
08/13/2008
Puerto Rican cop killed by 'friendly' fire
JENNIFER BRACKEN , Morning Journal Writer
LORAIN -- A former Lorain resident and 12-year veteran of the Puerto Rico Police Department was killed Friday in what is believed to have been a ''friendly'' fire incident during a raid led by the FBI, according to police officials and family.
Officer Orlando Gonzalez-Ortiz, 32, was part of an operation to save a Dominican Republic man who had been kidnapped for ransom, and was being held in a San Juan neighborhood, according to Puerto Rico Police Agent Felix Tores. Once the kidnapped man was safely released, FBI agents were chasing five suspects, when a shoot out began.
Gonzalez-Ortiz, who was part of a unit that investigates bank robberies and kidnappings, was in civilian clothes with a bullet-proof vest which had the word Policia on it. Tores said FBI agents saw Gonzalez-Ortiz and another officer approaching the scene, when he was shot. Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo said evidence suggests he was struck by stray bullets and a bullet penetrated the vest.
''They were working together,'' he said. ''We don't know why it happened.''
Three of the five suspects, who were from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, were captured, Tores said. The suspects had put the victim in the trunk of a car and were demanding a ransom of $650,000.
Gonzalez-Ortiz's extended family, many of whom still live in Lorain, were notified shortly after he was killed early Friday morning, according to Gonzalez-Ortiz's cousin Nancy Gonzalez, of Lorain.
He was laid to rest on Monday, Tores said. In the meantime, the FBI is investigating the incident, he said.
A representative from the San Juan FBI did not return calls seeking comment.
''We worked in different units, but from what I know he was a real good cop,'' Tores said.
Nancy Gonzalez said Gonzalez-Ortiz was born and raised in Lorain before his family moved back to Puerto Rico more than 15 years ago. His mother worked as an LPN for Avon Oaks and his father worked for Ford, she said.
''It's hard to talk to the family, because when they start they just break down,'' she said. ''They are so distraught.''
Nancy Gonzalez said her cousin frequently returned to the area to visit Cedar Point. He once told her if he didn't make such good money as a police officer he would get a job at the amusement park.
Gonzalez-Ortiz was engaged and was in the process of building a house in Puerto Rico. His parents, Angel and Issi Gonzalez, live in Puerto Rico along with their other son, Angel.
His family was excited that Gonzalez-Ortiz was recently re-assigned to a desk job. The raid was supposed to be his last street assignment, Nancy Gonzalez said.
''He was very, very well-liked and a wonderful person with a big heart. He loved being a police officer. It was something he felt was a calling for him,'' she said. ''And the worst part is that he was killed by in FBI agent in what they call 'friendly' fire.''
UPDATE
08/13/2008
Puerto Rican cop killed by 'friendly' fire
JENNIFER BRACKEN , Morning Journal Writer
LORAIN -- A former Lorain resident and 12-year veteran of the Puerto Rico Police Department was killed Friday in what is believed to have been a ''friendly'' fire incident during a raid led by the FBI, according to police officials and family.
Officer Orlando Gonzalez-Ortiz, 32, was part of an operation to save a Dominican Republic man who had been kidnapped for ransom, and was being held in a San Juan neighborhood, according to Puerto Rico Police Agent Felix Tores. Once the kidnapped man was safely released, FBI agents were chasing five suspects, when a shoot out began.
Gonzalez-Ortiz, who was part of a unit that investigates bank robberies and kidnappings, was in civilian clothes with a bullet-proof vest which had the word Policia on it. Tores said FBI agents saw Gonzalez-Ortiz and another officer approaching the scene, when he was shot. Police Superintendent Pedro Toledo said evidence suggests he was struck by stray bullets and a bullet penetrated the vest.
''They were working together,'' he said. ''We don't know why it happened.''
Three of the five suspects, who were from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, were captured, Tores said. The suspects had put the victim in the trunk of a car and were demanding a ransom of $650,000.
Gonzalez-Ortiz's extended family, many of whom still live in Lorain, were notified shortly after he was killed early Friday morning, according to Gonzalez-Ortiz's cousin Nancy Gonzalez, of Lorain.
He was laid to rest on Monday, Tores said. In the meantime, the FBI is investigating the incident, he said.
A representative from the San Juan FBI did not return calls seeking comment.
''We worked in different units, but from what I know he was a real good cop,'' Tores said.
Nancy Gonzalez said Gonzalez-Ortiz was born and raised in Lorain before his family moved back to Puerto Rico more than 15 years ago. His mother worked as an LPN for Avon Oaks and his father worked for Ford, she said.
''It's hard to talk to the family, because when they start they just break down,'' she said. ''They are so distraught.''
Nancy Gonzalez said her cousin frequently returned to the area to visit Cedar Point. He once told her if he didn't make such good money as a police officer he would get a job at the amusement park.
Gonzalez-Ortiz was engaged and was in the process of building a house in Puerto Rico. His parents, Angel and Issi Gonzalez, live in Puerto Rico along with their other son, Angel.
His family was excited that Gonzalez-Ortiz was recently re-assigned to a desk job. The raid was supposed to be his last street assignment, Nancy Gonzalez said.
''He was very, very well-liked and a wonderful person with a big heart. He loved being a police officer. It was something he felt was a calling for him,'' she said. ''And the worst part is that he was killed by in FBI agent in what they call 'friendly' fire.''