On a warm summer evening in Phoenix, Arizona, 23-year-old Police Officer George Valentino Cortez, Jr. was nearing the end of his shift. A dedicated officer with two years on the force, he responded to what seemed like a routine call at a check-cashing store on 83rd Avenue. The report indicated a man and a woman were attempting to pass forged checks.
Upon his arrival at approximately 5:30 pm, Officer Cortez entered the business and began the process of apprehending the male suspect.
As he was placing the man in handcuffs, the situation took a tragic and violent turn. The suspect managed to draw a stolen. 40 caliber handgun and fired at Officer Cortez, striking him twice in the head and once in the shoulder. The suddenness and severity of the attack left no time for a defensive response. Officer Cortez was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. He was survived by his wife and two young sons.
The suspects, a man and a woman, fled the scene immediately after the shooting, sparking an intensive manhunt. Their freedom, however, was short-lived. Law enforcement officials apprehended both individuals the following day. The pair were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, burglary, and forgery for their roles in the tragic event that cut short the life of a young officer.
In the pursuit of justice for Officer Cortez, the legal process moved forward, culminating in the conviction of the male suspect for capital first-degree murder. On October 19, 2010, he was sentenced to death for his role in the murder of Officer George Valentino Cortez, Jr., bringing a measure of closure to a case that had deeply affected the Phoenix community and law enforcement family.
