Folks, one of our protectors was killed yesterday doing his job in the city of Hawaiian Gardens. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Jerry Ortiz, attached to an anti-gang unit, was talking with a man and woman outside an apartment when another man burst out the door and, the Times says, "put a handgun to the officer's face and fired." The cops think the killer was Jose Luis Orozco, 27, a parolee already wanted on suspicion of attempted murder. Ortiz, a 15-year veteran, married his second wife just two weeks ago. He has two sons, ages 6 and 16. Update: Suspect arrested late Friday.
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Recent stories on LA Observed:
Ralph Lawler of the Clippers and the age of AquariusRiding the Expo Line to USC 'just magical'
Last bastion of free parking? Loyola Marymount to charge students
Matt Kemp, Dodgers and Kings start big weekend the right way
LA Times writers revisit their '92 riots observations
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