Line of Duty Death: Sergeant Ricardo Perez-Ortiz
Sergeant Ricardo Perez-Ortiz
Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Monday, August 24, 2020
BIO
Age 52
Tour 26 years
Badge 8-19718
INCIDENT DETAILS
Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Thursday, April 30, 2020
Weapon Handgun; .40 caliber
Offender At large
Sergeant Ricardo Perez-Ortiz succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on April 30th, 2020, when he was confronted by armed subjects while en route to work at 11:50 pm.
He was in uniform and driving his personal vehicle on Avenue Jesús T. Piñero at the interchange with Highway 18 when he was surrounded by a group of people driving motorcycles and off-road vehicles who were violating COVID-19 curfew restrictions. The other drivers surrounded his vehicle, forcing him to come to a stop. At least one of the subjects in the group opened fire on him, striking him three times before fleeing.
Sergeant Perez-Ortiz was transported to Rio Piedras Medical Center where he remained in critical condition. He was able to assist homicide investigators with information before succumbing to his wounds on August 24th, 2020.
Sergeant Perez-Ortiz had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 26 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He is survived by his brother.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Superintendent Henry Escalera
Puerto Rico Police Department
PO Box 70166
San Juan, PR 00936
Phone: (787) 792-1234
