ROBSTOWN, Texas — The South Texas community came together to help raise money at a food benefit for the Ortiz family in memory of fallen officer Vicente Ortiz Jr.
Ortiz passed away in June from injuries sustained when a vehicle crashed into his motorcycle while he was assisting with funeral traffic.
Jose Flores worked with Ortiz as his partner for two years. He was one of many people across the Coastal Bend community that attended the event.
"It's a huge showing to see Sinton, a small town and they stand up for themselves, but to see the actual Coastal Bend community come together in some way to honor his memory, to honor his legacy, to give something back to the family," Ortiz said.
Flores said all the money raised at the event will go to the Ortiz family.
"They have expenses they're still dealing with," Ortiz said. "This tragic event happened so fast that they weren't ready for what's happening."
Aaron Schmidt worked long hours with Ortiz. He's happy to see a lot of people attend the event and hopes the family knows they're not alone.
"It's a beautiful sight to see that the community in together for Priscilla, his wife," Schmidt said. "And just making sure he's not alone and she's not alone and remembering the good person he was."
Both Schmidt and Flores said they're lucky to have known Ortiz and they'll continue to keep his memory alive.
"That he was a very very good man. He was probably one of the best officers I ever got to work with," Schmidt said.
"We're carrying that legacy on and we're not letting his name just [wilt] away. It's something that keeps us happy, keeps me going. You know, we talk about him as much as we can. I carry him on my wrist," Flores said. "And we're never going to forget him, we're going to honor him as much as we can."
Flores said in the future, the Ortiz family is planning to set up a scholarship in honor of Vicente to keep his legacy alive.