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L.A. County Deputy Shot To Death

Jun 25, 2005 1:55 am US/Pacific

HAWAIIAN GARDENS, Calif. (CBS) A 35-year-old sheriff's deputy who had gone to work early to get a jump on a street gang investigation was shot to death as he was interviewing people, authorities said.

Deputy Jerry Ortiz had just knocked on a door and was talking to a woman who lived there when he was shot point blank in the head about 3 p.m. Friday, said Undersheriff Larry Waldie.

"Someone came out either nearby or from the residence and put a bullet through his head," Waldie said.

The suspected gunman was identified as Jose Luiz Orozco, 27, who was last seen wearing a blue-and-white shirt and knee-length khaki shorts, said Deputy Steve Suzuki. Photos released by authorities showed Orozco with a shaved head and devil's horns tattooed onto his forehead. His back, arms and chest were also heavily tattooed.

Deputies sealed off streets in this blue-collar city 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and searched late into the night for Orozco, who already was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued in an attempted murder case.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department asked the public's help in apprehending him, but also noted he is considered armed and dangerous.

Ortiz, who was wed about three weeks ago, is survived by his wife and two sons, ages 16 and 6. He was a 15-year veteran of the department and had been a member of its anti-gang unit for the past five years.

Waldie said Ortiz, who had recently returned from his honeymoon, had started work early Friday, which he added was not unusual for him.

Scores of sheriff's deputies who either raced to the scene of the shooting or gathered at a hospital where Ortiz was pronounced dead appeared stunned and distraught.

"He was trying to stop the senseless violence that was the senseless violence that took his life," said sheriff's Sgt. Brian Stover. "Am I angry about that? Yes."

Waldie appeared red-eyed as he spoke to reporters.

Sheriff Lee Baca, who was out of state at a convention, immediately left for Southern California. He scheduled a news conference for noon Saturday at his headquarters in Monterey Park.

In suburban Diamond Bar, where Ortiz lived with his wife and sons, people on his block appeared equally stunned.

"I think there are a lot of people out here who are saddened at the madness we call LA," said neighbor Tom Boyd.