Funeral services held for fallen Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez
CHICAGO (CBS) — Memorial services are being held Monday morning for fallen Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez.
The procession from the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home started around 9:15 a.m. and headed eastbound down 103rd Street to Western Avenue, then headed northbound on Western to 77th Street, and continued westbound on 77th to Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel.
After the funeral mass, the procession traveled from the chapel to Beverly Cemetery. Ald. Matthew Oshea (19th) sent a notice to neighbors to line the procession route, honor Officer Martinez, and show support for his family and fellow officers.
Martinez, 26, was shot and killed during a traffic stop near 80th and Ingleside on Nov. 4. Police said Darion McMillian, 23, shot and killed Martinez and the driver of the car McMillian was in during a traffic stop in the East Chatham neighborhood on Monday, Nov. 4. McMillian was on electronic monitoring at the time of the shooting because of an arrest involving a drug test.
Neither Gov. JB Pritzker nor Mayor Brandon Johnson will be attending the funeral service at the request of Martinez's family. Former Mayor Richard M. Daley was spotted in attendance for the service at Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel.
The Chicago Police Department streamed the service on their social media platforms.
Private services were held over the weekend
The passion that Martinez brought to his job was certainly on the minds of many who came out to honor him Sunday. A steady stream of mourners turned out at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, at 103rd Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn. Well after the sun set, and after the temperature dropped, the foot traffic did not falter.
Inside the funeral home, officers pray over his casket while extending condolences to relatives.
"Yet another young officer lost far too soon, who was trying to do right by this city and its citizens," said Chicago Fraternal of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara.
Martinez was the second officer in the Chicago Police Department to be killed in the line of duty this year. He was engaged to be married and would have marked three years on the force next month.
Hundreds of officers gather to pay respects to Martinez
Officers and firefighters from across the state gathered outside of St. Rita's to pay their respects to fallen officer Martinez as rain started to fall in Chicago.
Chicago Police Chaplain Father Daniel Brandt says Martinez was described as "selfless"
Father Brandt highlighted some of the conversations with Martinez's friends, family, and coworkers, who described him as "selfless, thoughtful, kind" and "generous."
Martinez was also described as being "full of life," "cheerful," and "had a contagious laugh."
Mourners offer prayers to Martinez and other first responders
Mercedes Martinez led prayers of the faithful, calling for "police officers, members of the military, and all who work to preserve peace" so that they may be protected.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling: "You'll never be forgotten"
Snelling said he's received an outpour of condolences from around the county as he paid tribute to officer Martinez.
He addressed each family member, including his brother, who is also a Chicago police officer, sister, and Martinez's fiancé.
"I had the unfortunate responsibility of informing the family of this tragedy. I felt the pain, but I also felt the love in that room," Snelling said.
Fellow officers share memories of Martinez: "The city lost a great hero"
Officer Francisco Nunez said he and Martinez met as classmates in the police academy and mentioned how infectious his laugh was.
"There wasn't a day where this guy wasn't laughing or cracking a joke. Even if the joke wasn't funny, his laugh would make you instantly laugh as well," he said.
One of the memories Nunez expressed was Martinez's love of food.
"He would always use me as his excuse to eat a whole Dominoes large pizza," he said
He continues to describe Martinez as a "hard charger; he was humble, crazy, and goofy."
"I know your name, Enrique Martinez, is written in the book of eternal life. I will see you soon, brother."
Officer Abdullah Saleh also shared with Martinez's family about how much he admired his mother.
"I can see how much of an influence you've had on him and shaping the man he became, honorable, hardworking, and always striving to be the best version of himself.
Officer Adrian Martinez Garcia remembers his brother: "It was our calling"
Martinez's brother and fellow officer, Adrian Martinez Garcia, said their mother would push them to become doctors and lawyers, but they both wanted to be Chicago police officers.
"To serve the disadvantaged and to protect the forgotten. We wanted to live the life of a hero. Becoming police officers was not just a job title to us, but who we were supposed to be," Garcia said.
He said on the night Enrique was killed, his brother saved countless lives.
"Every bullet that struck my brother could have taken the life of someone's mother, father, sister, brother, or friend."
Procession from St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel to burial
After the funeral service concluded, police officers carried officer Martinez's casket out of the chapel to begin a procession to Beverly Cemetery.