SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Charles M. Calderon’s (D-Montebello) Assembly Concurrent Resolution 27 has cleared the Senate Transportation Committee with a unanimous vote. ACR 27 would rename a portion of State Highway Route 60, between State Highway Route 605 and State Highway Route 19, in Los Angeles County, the “Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz Memorial Highway” in honor of the fallen hero.

A respected member of the law enforcement community, Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz, assigned to the city of Lakewood, was fatally shot in the summer of 2005 while performing an investigation relative to an ex-convict gang member.

“Deputy Sheriff Jerry Ortiz deserves recognition for his noble dedication to his profession and tireless efforts to protect the public from gang activity,” Assembly Member Calderon stated. “Designating a segment of State Highway 60 will be an important tribute for the unglamorous and challenging job Deputy Ortiz proudly carried out during his short life.”

Although only 35-years-old at the time of his death, Deputy Sheriff Ortiz was a 15-year veteran of the Los Angels Deputy Sheriff’s Department. As a member of the Gang Enforcement team he was crucial in the training of recruits and patrol deputies in both boxing techniques and defensive tactics. In 2004 he received the Lakewood Award of Valor for his courageous actions during a life-threatening confrontation. Additionally, Deputy Ortiz served in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1996.

The resolution is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.