SACRAMENTO,
Calif. – California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Amanda Ray today issued
the following statement upon the death of CHP Officer Andy Ornelas, who passed
away this morning from injuries sustained in an on-duty crash on November 23:
“I am
profoundly saddened upon receiving word this morning of the death of Officer Ornelas. For the last nine days, Andy has valiantly fought
to stay alive, but despite his efforts, the tireless work of medical staff, and
the continual support of family, friends, and the Antelope Valley squad, Andy
succumbed to his injuries early this morning.
“On behalf
of the entire CHP family, my thoughts are with Andy’s loved ones, the members
of the Antelope Valley squad, and all who knew him as we all grieve his death
and mourn the promising future this young officer had before him. We will never forget his service and the
ultimate sacrifice he made on behalf of all Californians.”
On
November 23, 2020, at approximately 7:05 p.m., Officer Ornelas was on patrol,
riding his departmental motorcycle in Palmdale when he was involved in a traffic
crash. Officer Ornelas sustained
multiple injuries and was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he had
been receiving around-the-clock care.
Officer
Ornelas, 27, was a four-year veteran of the Department. He had been assigned to the Antelope Valley
Area since December 2019. He followed in
the footsteps of his mother, Kellie, who is a retired CHP officer from the same
Antelope Valley Area office, and his father, Arturo, a motorcycle officer with
the Los Angeles Police Department. He is
survived by his wife, Taylor, a brother, Cody, who is a CHP officer assigned to
the Central Los Angeles Area office, sister, Nikki, and an uncle, retired CHP
Captain Andreas Ornelas.
Officer Ornelas
becomes the 232nd officer to die in the line of duty in the 91-year
history of the CHP. Funeral services are
pending.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety,
Service, and Security.
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