Manny Ortiz remembered as 'a cop's cop' and 'a presence that was larger than life'

For 22 years, Rochester police officer Manuel "Manny" Ortiz spent his days and nights serving the community he loved. On Friday, that community gathered to celebrate his life and remember his lasting impact.

They recalled his bright smile and engaging personality. They recounted his love for his family, for cooking (and eating) and salsa dancing.

But more than anything, they remembered a man who spent every moment — both on and off the job — striving to help others.

Ortiz, 52, accidentally shot himself in the leg while driving to work on Saturday evening, according to authorities. His sport utility vehicle crashed into a ravine along Empire Boulevard in Penfield. Despite heroic efforts by passersby and responding deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Ortiz was declared dead at the scene.

On Main Street on Friday morning, snow fell from gray skies as more than 100 police officers from around the region stood in neat rows outside the venue. They remained in formation for about 45 minutes, until Officer Ortiz's family and relatives arrived.

Inside, friends and family, and people from all walks of life, filled the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. As the officers entered the room, they filed past Ortiz's patrol car, parked at the front of the room with a black cloth covering the siren.

During the service, all three of Ortiz's children spoke about their father. Eldest daughter Solangee McNeal laughed as she remembered the many times her father was greeted by people with hand slaps and high fives.

"How did you know him?" she would ask her dad.

"I arrested him," he replied.

That's the sort of man he was, McNeal said. He'd talk with people, learn more about them and how they came to a crossroads in life. Then he'd do what he could to help.

Lisa Kehoe, Ortiz's fiancée, along with the couple's children Alejandro and Sophia, together thanked the community for their love and support.

"Manny was a remarkable man," Kehoe said. "He was our protector. He was the love of my life and the world to his children."

Alejandro Ortiz put his hand on his mother's right shoulder as she spoke: "Manny would be humbled and brought to tears by the stories people have shared about him today and the impact they say he had on their lives."

In addition to his fiancée and three children, Ortiz is survived by his parents, 10 brothers and sisters, two grandsons and numerous other relatives.

Remembering Manny

Born in Brooklyn, Ortiz lived in Reading, Pennsylvania, several years before his family moved to Rochester's west side in 1977.

"Through church and the neighborhood, Manny developed friendships that would last a lifetime," said long-time friend Ray Mayoliz.

Ortiz graduated from Jefferson High School in 1985 and attended Monroe Community College. He dropped out, however, after the birth of his first child, daughter Solangee McNeal, to work a full-time construction job and support his family.

In the next decade, he took the civil service exam many times in an effort to gain entry to the Rochester Police Department Academy.

"He knew that was what he was meant to do," said Mayoliz.

Friend and fellow officer Sgt. Henry Rivera said Ortiz's jokes and "uncontrollable laughter" made challenging times at the academy more bearable.

He choked back tears as he recalled how Ortiz had asked him to serve as his point of contact in case of an emergency when the two friends filed out paperwork at the academy more than two decades earlier.

That phone call came last week, he said.

"I spent a lot of sleepless nights trying to make sense of this, but I can't," Rivera said. "I've tried to focus on the good memories. I wanted to speak here today but there are not enough words to describe what a great man he was."

Unyielding love

Rochester Police Sgt. Sammie Drayton Jr. said Ortiz was the man he leaned on in tough times, and he laughed at how he had dubbed him his "honorary Puerto Rican."

Ortiz was passionate about his heritage and was known for his unyielding love for his friends and family.

"If you were his family, he has your back to the end," Drayton said.

Drayton and Ortiz were members of the same academy class and recently enrolled at Keuka College together to complete their bachelor's degrees. Ortiz was set to graduate next spring. Drayton recalled how Ortiz would remind him to complete assignments,and even offer to complete the work for him.

"I always wanted a big brother and I prayed for it," Drayton said. "And there was Manny."

Longtime friend Geena Cruz remembered how even as a teenager, Ortiz encouraged others. That trait continued throughout his life, both on and off the job. She was one of several speakers who recalled his generosity, humility, loyalty and love of family.

"He’s still here, but in heaven — taking charge and smiling," she said. "Don't mourn him. Celebrate him. He'd want you to be dancing through here."

Award in his name

RPD Chief La'Ron Singletary said that Manny was small in stature but a giant at heart, both inside and outside the department.

He announced the creation of the Manuel "Manny" Ortiz Community Policing Award, which will be given annually to an officer who exemplifies what it means to be a servant to the community.

"That's who Manny was," Singeltary said.

Mayor Lovely Warren said that Ortiz was the epitome of community policing, someone who volunteered to work night shifts in the bar district so he could be face-to-face with people. His calm demeanor helped him de-escalate stressful situations.

Warren smiled as she recounted her frequent interactions with Ortiz at City Hall and out in the community.

"Manny Ortiz had a presence that was larger than life," she said. "He's gone too soon and our hearts are broken."

'...a lasting impact on us all'

Mayoliz brought the service to an end by sharing his last conversation with Ortiz. The two men went together to visit officer Denny Wright, who had been seriously injured on a call and was recovering at a local hospital.

As they left, the pair had a conversation about what they would do after they retired. Ortiz talked about plans to go fishing with his son.

Mayoliz recalled Ortiz's words: "Life is too short, he told me. Not knowing that just over a month later he would no longer be with us.

"A man as great as Manuel Ortiz will have a lasting impact on us all. I know that I am a better man for having known him." Mayoliz said. "We are all better because you were here."

VFREILE@Gannett.com

SLAHMAN@Gannett.com

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