September 14th To Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and shopping..

Today was a bit futile, we stopped at 2 RV repair shops, only to be told at one of them, they were booked up until Oct 6th, and the other one said we would have to leave it for 7 days, without power, no sympathy that we lived full time in the coach.  Then, we hit a non-supercenter Wal Mart for groceries, didn't find the black cartridges we need for the printer.  Also hit a Best Buy after the Quakes in Rancho Cucamonga, where I got a stamp, a ball and a magnet vs a pin.  My 141st venue!  Started the day by visiting McDonald's for snacks, and then the Post Office local to get some of Bette's meds.  

Giant RV said we could not get in until October 6th.  And they would have to keep the coach for two weeks!

Also went to the RV Doctor, where they told us they could see us soon, but we would have to leave the coach with them for 7 days.  

We hit a Best Buy looking for an I-Pad..

Tomorrow the 15th we are headed down to Escondido for a cousins reunion, haven't seen most of my cousins for maybe 50 years or so.  Looking forward to that!

Also Saw the Sgt. Albert Cortez and Mattie Memorial Highway today 

Also saw Sgt Albert Cortez Memorial Highway on the road today 

CDCR Sgt. Gilbert Cortez and his K-9 partner Mattie are shown in this file photo by Eric Owens, CDCR staff photographer. Cortez had voluntarily taken a demotion to Correctional Officer to be closer to his family when he and his K-9 were killed in an on-duty car accident in 2013.

At the time of his death, Gilbert Cortez was serving as a Correctional Officer after a voluntary demotion from Sergeant to complete the transfer process to California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco to be near his family.

Officer Cortez’s wife, Nehemah, addressed the gathering and expressed her gratitude for all of the support she and their two children have received. The three have been able to attend meetings and retreats with other law enforcement families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

“By attending these meetings and retreats it has helped the healing process. We were able to meet people who have walked in our shoes and developed lifelong friendships,” she said.

Amy Miller, CDCR Associate Director for  Reception Centers in the Division of Adult Institutions, also spoke at the ceremony, recognizing the elite work CDCR K-9 teams do—not just for CDCR, but for law enforcement agencies statewide.

“(Cortez) and his K-9 partner Mattie made a formidable team. They were dedicated and loyal to the department they served,” Miller said.

Officer Miguel Vega, a coworker and close friend of Cortez, brought up the CRC Investigative Services Unit (ISU) team where Cortez and Mattie worked. He spoke about the void left on the team by the pair’s death.

On March 25, 2013, Officer Cortez was the lead car in a CDCR convoy traveling to La Cima Conservation Camp in Julian to conduct contraband searches. While on State Route 79 near Warner Springs, Officer Cortez lost control of his vehicle and veered off the side of the road. Mattie was pronounced dead at the scene while Officer Cortez later succumbed to his injuries.

Officer Cortez was a 23-year veteran of CDCR, joining the ranks on Sept. 17, 1990. Cortez was first assigned to the California Institution for Men in Chino and then transferred to Calipatria State Prison on October 29, 1992, where he joined the ISU and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Cortez returned to his hometown of Norco by transferring to CRC on Oct. 29, 2001, and once again joined the ISU.