"THE LAST RIDE"

©Copyright 2003 (RoadHog/RoadHog's Pig Pen™) All Rights Reserved

I stood and I watched as my Brother rode by

It wasn't the way it should be

He rode not his bike, but in a long black cage

And he rode by himself not with me.

But I shed not a tear for this Brother of mine

For he lived free and loved his lifestyle

So ride on my Brother and rest in peace

Till we meet again after while

And when my time comes to take that last ride

You can bet it'll be with a smile

Cause I love to ride and I'll be going home

So I'll enjoy it to the very last mile

Ray Ramirez

02-14-63 - 09-10-06

This past Sunday (Sept. 10th, 2006) we lost our dear friend Ray Ramirez. We were riding on the 10 fwy going east bound when this awful tragedy occurred. We were on our way home from a meeting when Ray decided he wanted to go to our house and visit with us a little longer. Ray was upset that we didn't spend all afternoon with him that day, like we normally do. Ray met us at the Airliner at around 4:305:00pm then we decided to go home at around 6:30ish. We all left together, Martin & I, Ray, Popeye, Rick, Vic & Gabbi. My baby Ray was right behind us when this accident took place.

Ray lost control of his bike as we were entering the carpool lane right after Eastern Avenue. He passed on impact. We tried to bring him back by doing CPR but unfortunately, he didn't come back. Ray leaves behind his beautiful 4 children: Stephanie 20, Huero 19, Amanda 15 & his baby Jennifer 14.

Deputy LUIS GERARDO (JERRY) ORTIZ
Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

Date of Birth: September 16, 1969
Date Appointed: February 9, 1990
End of Watch: June 24, 2005

"Dedicated, tireless, crime fighter", "Role model", "Mentor", "Hero", are only a few of the accolades used to describe Jerry Ortiz, the peace officer, the man. On June 24, this 35 year-old 15-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs' Department, "who could light up a room with his smile", laid down his life in the Line of Duty.

On that fateful day, Deputy Ortiz who was assigned to a gang suppression unit at Lakewood Station, was conducting a follow-up investigation searching for a suspect wanted for attempted murder. Ortiz was standing in the doorway of an apartment located in the City of Hawaiian Gardens questioning a woman who had answered the door, when a man brandishing a handgun suddenly appeared from behind the woman, and without warning fired one round which struck Ortiz in the head. The shooter, later identified as Jose Luis Orozco (27), an ex-convict gang member with an extensive criminal record fled the scene. Deputy Ortiz mortally wounded was transported via helicopter to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Several square blocks surrounding the scene of the shooting were cordoned off and a massive manhunt for the suspect was undertaken. Several hours after the search began Jose Luis Orozco was located and arrested at a residence three blocks from the shooting cowering in a bathtub. He will be charged with the murder of a peace officer, a crime calling for the death penalty, if convicted.

Deputy Jerry Ortiz was being praised by his peers and superiors as "a highly motivated professional who invariably arrived early and stayed late". An outstanding member of the Sheriff's boxing team, he was admired for his courage and tenacity, both inside and outside of the ring. Attesting to his courage as a peace officer, Ortiz had aggressively pursued an assignment to the Department's "Gang Detail", a dangerous assignment where he had spent the last five years. Just a year ago he had been awarded the Departments' Medal of Honor after he fatally shot a carjacker who had drawn a gun on he and his partner, a further example of his exemplary conduct under fire.

Sadly, almost unbelievably, the Ortiz family had suffered a second tragedy in less than six months. On January 10, Correctional Peace Officer Manuel A. Gonzales, Jr. was stabbed to death while on duty at CIM, the Chino State Prison. Gonzales was Jerry's brother-in-law. Compounding the double tragedy was the fact that Jerry and his new wife, Chela, had been married for less than three weeks.

On the morning of June 30, a memorial mass befitting a true hero, Deputy Jerry Ortiz, was conducted by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

Outgoing Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, incoming Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, District Attorney Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton joined more than 6,000 law enforcement officers from California and adjoining States for the two-hour service conducted by Cardinal Mahony.

In a final tribute to the fallen officer, flags at the State Capitol and in the City of Los Angeles were being flown at half-staff.

The motorcade escorting the remains of Jerry Ortiz from the Cathedral to final rest at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles was so large, with more than 2,000 vehicles, that it took the motorcade more than 90 minutes to make the five-mile trip.

Deputy Jerry Ortiz is survived by his new bride, Chela, and two sons from a previous marriage, Jeremy (16) and Jacob (6).

My wife, lover, and partner in life for 22 years recently passed away. From the first time I met her, she climbed on the back of my Harley. We got married on April 13, 1985 and spent two weeks on the bike for our honeymoon.

In 2003, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Throughout the chemo she lost her hair and her right breast in 2004, but through it all Karen never lost her spirit. At the ending of 2004-2005 she was again diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2006, they told us that the cancer had spread to her liver and spine.

Two weeks before she passed away, she was very weak and in a lot of pain, but she still was able to climb on the back of my bike to go for a ride. For the first time in months she had a beautiful smile on her face that will always be in my eyes.

Karen left behind two loving daughters, Tiffany and Ashley, and an old man that will love her and miss her so very much. So, until my time, when I see you again we can ride together like we always did. I will always love you Karen Lee!

Your Hubby, John Guerra

Lancaster, California

John “Jack” Martindale

Came into this world 01-07-59 Altona, Manitoba Canada

End of the ride 11-10-07 Mojave, Calif.

Jack loved many things in life but closest to his heart was his wife Mindy and riding. He and Mindy went all over on the bike, including a 2000+ mile riding honeymoon a year ago; hitting every winery and Harley dealer in California. He enjoyed bringing both of his loves together.

Jack was a really good-hearted guy. Jack loved to ride, and died doing what he loved.

Tragically, Jack was killed on Saturday while riding his HarleyRoad King near their home in Tehachapi. He was on his way to the Pomona fair grounds for the California Bike Week Rally.

The accident was on Backus Rd, just East of the turnoff from Tehachapi/Willow Springs Rd. It appears that no other vehicles were involved, and that Jack went off the road at a turn there.

Jack’s friend Ken said that is a pretty crappy old road out there; uneven surface and old faded paint markings. Ken was out there after the accident, and found a little stick cross memorial with some Yamaha bike parts right there, as well as several headlight and taillight car parts which have accumulated over the years. Obviously a turn which has bit before. It is 0.7 miles East of the intersection; not a blind turn or anything, but it is come upon pretty suddenly when going East from the intersection. The CHP told Mindy that Jack made the turn, but something made him veer off the road. Jack died quickly.

Jack was a great guy and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him. Always quiet, and a little shy, but once you got to know him, you knew he had a heart of gold. He had this great out look on life and when you talked to him he had this great smile letting you know he was there with you and that he would always be your friend.

Several bikers from the local VFW who knew Jack n Mindy rode to the funeral on Friday along with several other riding friends to give their last respects to a quiet and big hearted husband and friend. Mindy rode on Jack’s favorite bike (a Harley Softail Heritage) to the grave side service.

On 11-27-07, there was a candlelite ceremony for Jack at the place where he died. A cross was placed to remember his passing.

Those who knew him will always keep him in are hearts. R.I.P. Jack, enjoy the new roads ahead & I am sure we will meet on them someday.

Red Dog

Rick Straube “Lord Cruiser”

Born 06-21-54

Ended His Ride On Earth 12-26-08

Rick told me on our last big run at the Kern River that he had cancer and was going to be starting treatment. He told me the cancer was throughout his body and it didn’t look good. He was a matter of fact to his fate and if you knew him you would know that was who he was. He spoke from his heart and he had no illusions about life.

On 12-29-08 I was contacted by his wife Patty. She told me Rick passed away on Friday the day after Christmas.

The cancer he had moved very quickly and he was unable to fight it off with chemotherapy.

For those who had the pleasure of knowing Rick then you knew he always had this grin on his face like he had the inside joke to life.

Rick was always funny and enjoyable to be around. He and I had the same ideas toward politics and life. I enjoyed our talks about life, riding and politics. He had this way of letting you know when you were wrong on certain issues and we had this on going joke that when ever I sent something out on an e-mail I knew that he would research it and let me know that I was wrong. I will miss that and our discussions on life.

Most of all we will truly miss riding next to him.

Rick you really now know all the meaning of life and all of it’s mysteries. I look forward to riding with you and continuing our talks when we meet again.

Red Dog

From his friends Kathy & Ron:

Rick was always the upbeat one who had so much to give & share with others... He loved his friends, and being with people was what he lived for. I know he loved riding and sharing good times with his friends... He was such a guy! And such a cool cat.

I have known him since I was a kid growing up in Hawthorne... He hung out with the older kids on my block. I remember him most for being the local ice cream truck driver who wasn't only selling ice cream out of his truck... He was like a big brother to me. I only regret being so far away, and not having more contact with him in his last 6 months...

I can only imagine what everyone else is going through with such a huge loss... And I send my condolences to you all as well... His riding friends got to know him by doing what he loved and sharing many good times with him...He always made the best of everything and tried to never let things get him down too much...

We all had the same thoughts about politics and life as well...

Always know that when you are riding.. He will be right there next to you. You might not see him, but you will feel him there... A Spirit such as he was, always lives on...

It's like you say "It's all about the ride and the riders you meet along the way" Bikers are your true friends for life... They are cool & great people!!!

Ron n Kathy Michael

If you have someone that you would like to be remembered then we would like to post a pic and story about them to help keep their memory alive.

If anyone has a Memorial Ride that you would like to let other riders know about please let us know about it so we can post it for you.