45, of Chino Hills, CA, passed away peacefully in his home on January 21, 2008, of cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, and brother. Johnny was born September, 1, 1962 to Edward and Katy Ortega.
Johnny’s dream was to pursue a career in law enforcement. After graduating form the OCSD Academy in 1983, he was assigned to the jails, patrol, and gang enforcement. He was then promoted to investigator in 1994, where he worked for the remainder of his career on Oct. 12, 2001.
Because of his terminal disease, Johnny was forced to retire on July 12, 2004. He battled cancer for 6 years, and the strength he possessed has given his family the inspiration to overcome any obstacles that come their way.
Being a cop was more than a job to Johnny. It was a passion. His other passions were spending time with is wife and coaching his 3 daughters in softball and soccer. He will always be remembered for his dedication to his family, God, work, and coaching.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Rebecca; his daughters, Yayo, Breezy, and Peanut; his grand-dogs, Suzi and Yogi; his brothers, Edward, Marcos, and Steven, and his sisters, Carmen and Helen.
I first met Johnny in 1986 while I was assigned to the Men’s Main Jail as a DST prior to attending the Sheriff’s academy, Johnny had graduated from the Academy almost two years before. Johnny offered me encouraging words as I prepared for the academy.
I later worked with Johnny in South patrol, working many shifts with him as an area partner while working vacation relief and overtime in the City of San Juan Capistrano and other south county communities. By the time I was working patrol Johnny already had a stellar reputation as a patrol deputy and was revered to somewhat of a legendary status among his peers for his aggressive enforcement efforts in combating gang activity.
To prepare myself for today, I took some time to sit and review Johnny’s personnel and background files.
It made me sad to go through the files as it brought up so many fond memories of Johnny. But on the other hand, I’m glad I did as it allowed me an opportunity to learn more about him and I discovered some things I never knew and can share with those here today.
I must share with you that I smiled inside when I found that his files actually contained a picture of a very young Johnny from September 20, 1982 when he did not have that classic mustache of his.
Johnny Leroy Ortega was born on September 1, 1962, in Santa Ana. He lived with his parents and family growing up in the Santa Ana area.
He attended Lathrop Junior High School and Saddleback High School in Santa Ana. He graduated from high school in June of 1980.
Police work requires good reporting writing skills and Johnny honed his writing skills prior to being hired as a deputy. Here is something you may not have known about Johnny. In 1980 he was selected as the “Journalist of the Year” for the Roadrunner News Staff at Saddleback High School.
After graduating high school he began attending Santa Ana College where he majored in Administration of Justice.
At a very early age Johnny knew he wanted to get into law enforcement. He began his law enforcement career by joining the Police Explorer Program for the Santa Ana Police Department.
To further his dream toward one day becoming a peace officer, in October of 1982 Johnny became a reserve deputy with our Department. He possessed a drive to become a peace officer, having successfully completed the Level III, II and I Reserve Academy courses all within the same year.
On June 25th, 1983, Johnny married the love of his life, Becky, in Garden Grove.
In October of 1983 he became an Extra-Help Sheriff Special Officer. Johnny was an outstanding employee but he wanted more. He wanted to be a deputy sheriff.
When someone is going through the hiring process to be a deputy they have to complete a “Personal History Form.” The applicants are asked to write in their own handwriting why they want to be a deputy sheriff.
I want to share with you part of what Johnny wrote which was, “I feel that becoming a deputy sheriff is challenging. There are many qualities and skills required of a deputy. He must possess skills that would make him a ‘Jack of all Trades’. The deputy must be able to use these skills wherever his assignment may be”.
On August 31, 1984 Johnny was hired as a deputy sheriff trainee. He then attended the Sheriff’s Academy as a member of Class number 65, where he received his academy class’s Arrest Control Techniques (ACT) award.
After graduating from the Academy Johnny was assigned to the Central Men’s Jail where he worked many different assignments.
As a deputy he also worked in South Patrol. Johnny was bilingual and very “street smart” and he used this to his advantage and to the disadvantage of criminals.
Johnny worked as a traffic deputy in the City of San Juan Capistrano and really focused his efforts on taking drunk drivers off the road.
He usually led the South Operations Division in Drunk Driving Arrests and he was recognized for his efforts by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.
Johnny’s other forte while working in the jail and patrol was working with the gangs. Johnny’s interest in gang enforcement was evident as he amassed hundreds of hours of gang knowledge and recognition courses. Early in his career he began his longtime membership and participation in the Orange County Gang Investigators Association, the California Gang Association, and the Prison Gang Association. This eventually led to him being assigned to the Sheriff’s Gang Enforcement Team.
On April 15, 1994 Johnny was promoted to investigator.
As an investigator he had assignments in Jail Crimes, Missing Persons, General Investigation, the Bank Robbery Apprehension Team with the FBI, and in Homicide.
Johnny’s personnel file is full of letters of appreciation and commendations from throughout his career.
A sample of a few of these is as follows.
• In July of 1995 he received a letter from Governor Pete Wilson congratulating him for his “…dedication and tremendous work,” on the Carl Claes homicide case. Where the murderers were a gang of seven juveniles, senselessly killing Carl because they wanted his new stereo system.
• In August of 1995 he was commended by Captain Kemmis for his investigative work which resulted in the quick capture of an inmate who had been inadvertently released from the jail.
• 1999 Sheriff Carona presented an official commendation to Johnny and the other members of the Homicide Detail for their work on a robbery – murder case from Lake Forest.
Remember earlier when I told you that Johnny said to be a deputy you need to be a “Jack of all trades”, well Johnny certainly accomplished what he set out to do. Through his tireless efforts and dedication to the law enforcement profession, Johnny not only became the “Jack of all trades” but also the master of integration of what he aspired, a true Renaissance man.
Because of his illness, Johnny retired from the Department on July 27, 2004.
Becky, Lauren, Brianna and Jacqueline…
You have heard me talk a lot today about Johnny the Deputy Sheriff. And while he was an excellent Deputy and Investigator we all know he was much more than that. Johnny was also an excellent son, husband, father and friend. While he is physically gone now, he lives on in our hearts and memories and we know that he left some of the best pieces of himself behind by looking at his three daughters.
As much as Johnny enjoyed his job and cared about the people he worked with, he loved and cared for each of you more. If we ever wanted to see that movie star smile of his from under that great big mustache, all we had to do was get him to talk about his family.
I would like to thank Johnny’s family for sharing him with us and I hope you all realize just how much his law enforcement family cared about him too by the number of people that are here today from the Sheriff’s Department to pay their respects.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ortega Family and his many friends who have joined us here today.
And if I know Johnny, I bet he is talking to God right now to find out if he can coach the girls’ softball team there in Heaven.
Thank you and may God bless you all.