SAN ANTONIO – A U.S. Border Patrol agent who has confessed to killing four women had different choices in spring of 2009 -- work as a local police officer or as a federal agent -- records obtained by KSAT 12's Defenders show.
Juan David Ortiz was offered a position in the San Antonio Police Department's academy class in April 2009.
"I have examined the investigative file on (Ortiz) and have concluded that the applicant has met the suitability criteria established by the San Antonio Fire Fighters' and Police Officers' Civil Service commission for appointment to a beginning position within the Police Department," an April 17, 2009, memo signed by Chief William McManus said.
The cadet class was to start on April 27, but Ortiz had other plans.
"I have chosen to pursue a career with the Department of Homeland Security following the advice of family and friends," Ortiz wrote. "Furthermore, I will be able to retire from that agency in only 12 years since they will buy my time served in the Department of Defense."
Ortiz's letter, dated April 21, said he would have "a start date in the near future."
He also thanked the SAPD for the offer.
"All the staff has been very professional and courteous," Ortiz wrote.
In a statement Tuesday, SAPD's public information office confirmed the records obtained by KSAT-12, but noted "(Ortiz) never worked as a San Antonio Police Officer."
Ortiz, 35, was working as a supervisory Border Patrol agent with access to U.S. Customs and Border Protection intelligence when he was arrested in Webb County early Saturday. Officials have said he confessed to killing four women between Sept. 3 and early Saturday, all of whom he picked up in a prostitution hub of Laredo. Investigators are "not confident" they have identified all of Ortiz's possible victims.