Rochester Police Officer Manuel Ortiz Killed In Single-Vehicle Penfield Crash Saturday

PENFIELD, NY. (THECOUNT) — Manuel Ortiz has been identified as the Rochester NYPD police officer killed Saturday evening in a single-vehicle crash, according to reports.

Ortiz, 52, was killed in the crash Saturday evening. He was a 22 year veteran with the Rochester Police Department.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirms Ortiz as the victim on a single-vehicle crash on Empire Blvd. in Penfield on Saturday after 7 p.m.

According to reports, Ortiz was operating a vehicle while on his way to work around 7 p.m., when for unknown reasons, he crossed centerlines and exited the roadway near Empire Boulevard. The vehicle then entered a culvert.

Ortiz, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple blunt force trauma injuries.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office via Twitter:

“@monroesheriffny: MCSO mourns @RochesterNYPD Officer, Manuel “Manny” Ortiz, a 22 year veteran of the force who died in a one-vehicle MVA this evening at 7:01 pm on Empire Blvd., Penfield. Officer Ortiz was 52 years old. Our hearts are with Officer Ortiz family and our @RochesterNYPD family.”

Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren released the following statement on her Facebook page:

“The passing of Officer Manuel ‘Manny’ Ortiz is a tragedy and a great loss for our City. Officer Ortiz was not only devoted to his career of service, but to his wife and children as well.

Emerson wrote that ‘The purpose of life …. is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. It is not the length of life, but the depth that matters.’ There is no doubt that Manny Ortiz lived well, and served honorably and with compassion during his 22 years as an Officer in the Rochester Police Department.

My sincere condolences go out to his wife and family, as well as, his brothers and sisters in uniform. I ask that all of Rochester join me in praying for the Ortiz family and all those that loved Officer Ortiz,” reports WGRZ.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

DEVELOPING::

Geo quick facts: Penfield is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 36,242 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated in 1810 by the proprietor, Daniel Penfield, who purchased the town lands in 1795 and moved to the area in 1809. His house still stands at 1784 Penfield Road – Wikipedia.