Officer George Valentino Cortez Jr. was 23 and had two years on the Phoenix Police Department when he was killed on a summer evening while responding to a report of alleged check forgery at a check-cashing store on 83rd Avenue. He arrived at about 5:30 pm and, while placing a male suspect in handcuffs, was shot with a stolen .40 caliber handgun — twice in the head and once in the shoulder. Cortez was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital and died of his wounds; he was survived by his wife and two young sons.

A man and a woman fled the scene but were arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder, burglary, and forgery. The male defendant was later convicted of capital first-degree murder. The shooting ended the life of a young officer and prompted a major manhunt and criminal case.

If anyone was at the check-cashing store that evening or has information about the suspects’ actions just before or after the shooting, please share what was seen.