Elizabeth Ortega spent nearly 25 years in emergency communications before she was killed at her Port St. Lucie home.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Palm Beach County public-safety workers are mourning a veteran emergency communications officer who police say was killed by her longtime partner at their Port St. Lucie home.
Elizabeth “Liz” Ortega, 50, had worked in emergency communications since 2001, first with the Greenacres Police Department and later with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Port St. Lucie police said Ralph Varela Sr., also 50, fatally shot Ortega on Saturday, Aug. 1, before dying by suicide inside the home.
The sheriff’s office announced Ortega’s death Monday and described her as a respected and cherished member of its communications division. The agency said she was known among colleagues for her kindness, compassion and welcoming manner.
Ortega began her emergency communications career with Greenacres police in November 2001. She became part of the sheriff’s emergency communications staff in February 2016 after a merger involving the local operations, according to the sheriff’s office.
Emergency communications officers answer calls for assistance and relay information to deputies, firefighters and paramedics. Ortega’s death has affected workers in more than one county agency because her adult son, Ralph Varela Jr., serves as a firefighter with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the sheriff’s office said.
Police said Ortega and Varela Sr. had been together for more than 30 years, although they had never legally married. Their son lived with them at the home. Ortega recently ended the relationship, and the couple agreed to continue sharing the residence while Varela searched for another place to live, investigators said.
Their son left the house at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday to pick up food, police said. Investigators said he did not see or hear an argument before departing and has cooperated with the investigation.
After the son left, police said, Varela used an AR-style rifle to shoot Ortega inside the home. Investigators said surveillance video showed her running outside in an attempt to get away. She collapsed on the front lawn after Varela continued firing, according to police.
Responding officers found Ortega critically wounded and had her flown to a hospital, where she died. Varela was found dead inside the home from what police described as an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators said 10 rounds were fired during the incident.
Police said officers had not previously been called to the residence for domestic violence or domestic disturbances. Authorities have not released information indicating that Ortega’s co-workers knew of any immediate threat before the shooting.
The sheriff’s office asked its employees to support members of the emergency communications and fire-rescue communities affected by the deaths. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Tuesday.
Port St. Lucie police said detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No other person is being sought in connection with the deaths.
Author note: Last updated August 4, 2026.