San Diego Police Department

At 18 years old, Federico “Rico” Borjas joined the Marine Corps, beginning a lifetime devoted to serving others. Years later, motivated in part by the loss of his cousin, Eric Ramirez, who was killed in action in Iraq, Borjas joined the Army Reserves and continued answering the call to serve his country.

In 1999, Officer Borjas joined the San Diego Police Department, serving in Central, Southeastern, and Southern Division, and later as a member of SWAT. Those who worked beside him remember a police officer who pushed himself relentlessly and would drop anything to help another officer.

Former San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne said Officer Borjas was “very driven to be a protector,” adding that he fought to make sure others had the same opportunities he had been given.

Above all else, Federico Borjas was proudest of being a father. His longtime patrol partner remembers that he often called his daughter, Yvette, “his heart.”
On October 16, 2008, while serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Army Sergeant Federico Borjas was killed in an ambush during a convoy operation near the border.

Officer Federico “Rico” Borjas was 33 years old.

We remember his courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to others.

Before serving as a Green Beret Sergeant in Vietnam, Allen David Mortenson was a police cadet with the San Diego Police Department, working alongside officers while preparing for a career in public service.

After one year with SDPD, Mortenson was drafted into the Vietnam conflict in September 1968, where he went on to serve with the U.S. Army Special Forces — the Green Berets. On March 10, 1969, while assigned to a combat unit, Sgt. Mortenson was killed during combat operations. He was 24 years old.

For his sacrifice in combat, Sgt. Mortenson was awarded the Purple Heart.

Remembered by those who knew him as a “tall, hulking man” affectionately nicknamed “Lurch,” Mortenson became the only member of the San Diego Police Department lost during the Vietnam War.

This Memorial Day, we honor Allen D. Mortenson- a member of the SDPD, a Green Beret, and a man who gave his life in service to his country.

We remember Patrolman Robert Harvey- who served in two wars, wore two uniforms, and gave everything in both.

Robert Harvey joined the San Diego Police Department on July 1, 1941.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Patrolman Harvey took a leave of absence to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps. As a 1st Lieutenant in the Pacific Theatre, he flew combat test and operational missions in aircraft pushed to their limits. During his service in World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross- one of the nation’s highest honors for aerial heroism, recognizing extraordinary courage and skill in flight under dangerous conditions.

He returned home in 1945 and rejoined SDPD as a detective in the Vice Unit.

In 1952, he was recalled during the Korean War and assigned to a B-29 with the 93rd Bomb Squadron.
On October 31, 1952, just nine miles from home after a mission over North Korea, his aircraft suffered engine failure and went down at sea. Only three of his crew survived, and Robert would not return home alive.

That same day, his son was born.

Today, as we begin Memorial Day Weekend, we remember Officer Frank Myrick’s courage, sacrifice, and commitment to service- both as a San Diego police officer and as a soldier defending his country.

During World War II, countless San Diegans left home to serve overseas. Patrolman Frank Myrick was one of them- and the only San Diego police officer drafted into WWII who did not return home alive.

Appointed to the San Diego Police Department in November 1941, Officer Myrick served just three months before leaving to join the United States Army Air Corps as a pilot.

On July 17, 1944, while flying an attack mission over Pisa, Italy, 1st Lieutenant Myrick successfully destroyed a railroad supply line critical to enemy operations. Despite completing the mission, he circled back to continue the attack when enemy fire shot down his aircraft.

For his bravery and sacrifice, Myrick was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters.

His sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Our investigators continue to work diligently to uncover all the details of Monday’s shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

We understand the public’s desire for answers and will continue providing information that is confirmed, verified, and will not compromise the active investigation being conducted by SDPD and the FBI San Diego.

Please visit sandiego.gov/ActiveShooter for updates as more details are released.

If you have any information related to the shooting, please visit: www.fbi.gov/islamiccenterofsandiegoshooting.

We stood shoulder to shoulder tonight with our community to remember the lives of Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha, and Nadir Awad.
 
We heard more stories about the genuinely good hearts they had and all they did for their community every day.
 
We extend our deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and the entire Muslim community during this time. No one should ever fear for their safety while gathering in prayer, worship, or community, and we stand united with our Muslim neighbors against hate.

During today’s briefing, we provided updates to yesterday’s incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego. We detailed further information as to the suspects’ actions during the incident, the searches that have been conducted so far and the brave members of the Center who lost their lives yesterday.

You can watch the full update on SDPD’s YouTube Channel.

For updates on the case visit www.sandiego.gov/ActiveShooter (http://www.sandiego.gov/ActiveShooter).

If you know anything that may help investigators, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at
fbi.gov/islamiccenterofsandiegoshooting

Today, the San Diego Police Department, alongside law enforcement agencies from across San Diego County, responded to the Islamic Center of San Diego for an active shooter. There will be additional information released as the investigation continues in the days and weeks ahead. Tonight, our hearts are heavy for the three community members who were killed in today’s shooting. Let us all stand together as a City against hate in our communities and keep the families of those lost in our thoughts.
 
Please visit sandiego.gov/ActiveShooter for updates as more details are released.
 
If you have any information related to today’s shooting, please visit: www.fbi.gov/IslamicCenterOfSanDiegoShooting