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Funeral service to be held Friday for Vicente Ortiz Jr.

'VJ,' as he was known in Sinton, was escorted by his Corpus Christi Police Department brothers and sisters back to his hometown on Monday.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Funeral services for Vicente Ortiz Jr. will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the San Patricio County Fairgrounds in Sinton.

Although the public is invited to pay their respects during the funeral, graveside services are private, according to CCPD officials.

Below is the story prior to the funeral service announcement.

Sinton honored hometown hero Vicente Ortiz Jr. back one last time Monday. 

'VJ,' as he was known to friends and neighbors, was escorted by his Corpus Christi Police Department brothers and sisters to the city where he grew up. 

The procession, which began at the Treviño Funeral Home in Corpus Christi, made its way to Sinton, where it concluded at the Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. 

UPDATE ON PROCESSION ROUTE: From Borden turn left on archer then turn right into town turn right on Rachel then straight...

Posted by Sinton Chamber of Commerce on Monday, June 3, 2024

The 15-year Corpus Christi Police Department veteran was hit while helping guide a funeral procession in Corpus Christi on May 21. 

He died of his injuries June 1.

VFW Post 12160, which is located in Sinton, were in attendance to pay their respects to Ortiz Jr. Commander Todd Richardson said making the decision to show up was a no brainer.

"We are always here for first responders, for veterans, to show the respect that they deserve," Richardson said. 

Carlos Cano is a member of VFW Post 12160 and not only knows Ortiz Jr., but also his father as well. He said the two of them go way back to childhood. 

"I have known Vicente for a long, long time, we were in the Boy Scouts together," Cano said. "I was sad to hear that his son passed away the way he did." 

He said that in a town where everyone tends to know one another, events like these even in the midst of such tragedy, can also create a sense of unity. 

"We know each other and everything that is going on," Cano said. "Yes, it feels me good knowing that the community came together to honor this young man that passed away." 

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