A young Phoenix police officer, with just two years on the force, was brutally shot to death while apprehending a forgery suspect at a local check-cashing store. He leaves behind a wife and two young children. Officer Cortez was 23 years old.
This comes at the end of a day that saw four journalists killed in a helicopter collision over Steele Indian School Park.
Statement by Mayor Gordon
“Late Friday evening, a bad day got worse. Officer George Cortez Jr., just 23 years old, died while trying to make his community safer. I don’t know why this had to happen. Nobody does. But I do know that Officer Cortez had a passion for his family and for his community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family – who have suffered the sudden and unimaginable loss of a son, a husband and a father. We also pray for his colleagues, who have lost a dear friend – and for our community, that has lost another hero.”
Funeral Service Information
Visitation
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007
5 to 6 p.m. (Family Only)
6 to 8 p.m. (Public)
Heritage Mortuary
6830 W. Thunderbird Road
Funeral
Friday, Aug. 3, 2007
10 a.m.
Community Church of Joy
21000 N. 75th Ave.
Interment
Immediately after funeral service
Resthaven Park Cemetery
6290 W. Northern Ave.
Funeral Procession
• Leaving the church southbound on 75th Ave. to the 101 Freeway south
• 101 Freeway south to Northern Ave.
• Northern Ave. east to cemetery
