Frank Ortez was born and grew up in the lower Hudson Valley of New York and is the second of four children.  He and his family remained in New York until his parents relocated to the Piedmont region of North Carolina in 1981 in pursuit of business opportunities. During his high school years, Mr. Ortez played J.V. and Varsity football and was on the wrestling team. Mr. Ortez graduated from Hugh M. Cummings High School in 1982.  Upon commencement, Mr. Ortez enlisted in and began his active duty as a United States Marine. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. From there he attended MOS training as a Redeye Gunner at Ft. Bliss Texas. His duty stations in the Fleet Marine Force included MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., MCAS Futemna, Okinawa Japan, and MCB Camp Pendleton, CA. Mr. Ortez relocated to El Paso Texas in 1987 upon completion of active duty. On May 18, 1987 he began his career the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as a Detention Officer. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Ortez transitioned to the status of Peace Officer and was assigned to the Lower Valley Station as a Patrol Deputy. He was also a Field Training Officer and was tasked with additional duties on the Street Crimes Action Team during this assignment. In 1991 Mr. Ortez became a D.A.R.E. Officer for the Crime Prevention Unit and remained in that assignment until being promoted to the rank of Detective in February of 1995. Upon promotion, Mr. Ortez was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division where he remained until his next promotion to the rank of Sergeant in August of 1995. Mr. Ortez was assigned to several different divisions and units as a shift sergeant to include the Vinton, Lower Valley, and Montana Patrol Stations. During the summer of 1999, Mr. Ortez attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia for advanced law enforcement, investigative, and management training. Mr. Ortez was also the supervisor of the Crime Prevention, RAPTOR, and Civil sections. It was during his service as a sergeant that Mr. Ortez began to further his education by first attending El Paso Community College. Mr. Ortez transferred to Park University located on Ft. Bliss Texas & earned his Bachelor of Science Degree. Mr. Ortez earned his Master of Science Degree from Sul Ross State University.  Mr. Ortez was next promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2005 and assigned to the El Paso County Jail Annex as a Shift Commander. With this promotion, after serving two and one half years in the Jail Annex, Mr. Ortez was transferred to the Patrol Division in 2007 and assigned duties as the Station Commander at the Montana Patrol Station. It was during this time that Mr. Ortez earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Park University. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Mr. Ortez enrolled at Sul Ross State University to continue his graduate studies. In 2008, Mr. Ortez was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division and assigned duties as the manager of the Civil Process and Fugitive Apprehensions / Warrants sections. In January of 2009, newly elected Sheriff of El Paso County Richard Wiles appointed Mr. Ortez to the rank of Bureau Commander in January of 2009 and he was briefly assigned to the Jail Annex Bureau. In March of 2009, Mr. Ortez was reassigned to the Patrol Bureau. Mr. Ortez earned his Master’s Degree in 2010 and was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student in Criminal Justice. In January of 2012 Mr. Ortez was assigned duties as Commander of the Special Operation Bureau which covers intelligence & narcotics investigations. Mr. Ortez’ final assignment was Commander of the Downtown Jail until he retired on April 30, 2014. He is now a C.T.E. Teacher in E.P.I.S.D. Mr. Ortez is married to his lovely wife Debbi and has two fine sons, Richard and Bryan. His hobbies include astronomy, athletics, and gardening, learning new things, reading, workouts, writing, and spirited debate.

 To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.”

                                                                                                                                          - Henri Poincare

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