From cuffs to carburetors

Andrea Ortiz knew while in the police academy that she wanted to be a homicide investigator.

She said her drive toward that goal began with “Quincy,” “CHiPs” and “Charlie’s Angels,” which she enjoyed watching on TV.

But after 25 years in law enforcement, including APD’s homicide and crime scene units, Ortiz retired last fall and is now studying automotive technology at Central New Mexico Community College.

Ortiz said she needed a change after the exhausting nature of her work, and had always had an interest in working on cars.

She said that police work and auto repair are similar in that there is a premium on getting it right the first time. As a crime scene specialist, Ortiz said, there’s only one chance to collect key evidence. In the automotive world, failure to fix the problem right away will result in lost money.

A difficult case ends with prison

Ortiz said that satisfying aspects of working in law enforcement included following clues to identify and apprehend a suspect.

“Once you get that person into custody, it’s interview and interrogation, which I loved to do,” Ortiz said. “You know, you let them develop a rapport with you, let them speak and then kind of paint themselves in a box. And then getting them to confess.”

She said the guilty parties don’t always confess, but those who do allow detectives to provide some closure to victims’ families.

One of the cases that has stuck with her is the 2013 murder of Guadalupe Morales, a 19-year-old who was found in the trunk of a torched vehicle.

Ortiz said the condition of her body and the absence of dental records made it difficult to identify her, but police eventually identified Shaun Ryals as her killer.

“We were able to pinpoint and say that she had been killed in his apartment,” she said. “And then the apartment had been vacated and he eventually transported her body.”

Ryals was found guilty of second-degree murder, arson and other charges and sentenced to more than 25 years in state prison.

‘It’s hard on your body’

Ortiz said homicide is a tough assignment, and many detectives only stay with it for a few years. 

“It’s very time-consuming,” she said. “It can be hard on the family and it’s hard on your body mentally and physically.”

She said that despite being in a male-dominated field, she never felt being a woman hindered her chances of advancing in APD. Ortiz said she was accepted once she proved her skill and her willingness to take initiative.

She said her family is supportive of her decision to retire and focus on the next phase of her life. Ortiz said her partner is glad in particular that she’s not on call anymore.

“Nine times out of 10, you’re getting that call at two o’clock in the morning,” Ortiz said.

Car passion inherited from dad

Ortiz’s path to CNM began with the love her father had for classic cars. She said she inherited that passion and bought a vintage Chevrolet Nova to restore. Ortiz began by taking a class to help her with that project and has broadened her studies since then.

She said she loved the first course, and wasn’t concerned about being female in another historically male line of work. But she did worry about fitting in with younger students, some of whom were in high school and taking dual enrollment courses.

“But I quickly made friends,” Ortiz recalled. “You know, I showed them that I wasn’t afraid. I went in there and got dirty and I felt like I was accepted (by) those students.”

She said she’ll continue in the program as she finishes participating in trials she has coming up. 

She said she doesn’t know what she’ll do after getting her degree; working in the industry or teaching the subject are possibilities.

Success predicted

Curtis Garand, a CNM faculty member in automotive technology, said Ortiz demonstrates some skills that could help if she chose to teach.

“Andrea has been a terrific role model for other students in the program, especially through her work ethic and ability to help guide other students through their tasks,” he said. “Due to her previous experiences, she’s also able to motivate other students.”

Sharon Gordon-Moffett, interim dean of CNM’s School of Skilled Trades and Arts, said like Ortiz, other mid-career individuals see the college as a place they can learn new skills for transition to a second (or subsequent) act.

“Retraining in the skilled trades is a great option for those who enjoy working with their hands, problem-solving, creating, and building,” Gordon-Moffett said. “For those who want to change or improve their career path, CNM is very experienced at helping students every step of the way. We’re always ready to help people find a program and a path that fits their interests and leads them to a rewarding career.”