Chicago mayor won't attend fallen officer’s funeral at family’s request
CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson no longer plans to attend the funeral for fallen Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez at the request of the officer's family.
Martinez, 26, died after being shot during a traffic stop in the 8200 block of South Ingleside Avenue in the East Chatham neighborhood earlier this month.
On Friday evening, representatives for Martinez’s family held a press conference outside of CPD’s 8th District. They were clear in their wishes, stating that Johnson would not be welcomed at the funeral.
The mayor's office issued a statement late Friday afternoon saying that Johnson would still attend the funeral.
"Mayor Johnson will attend honors funeral services and celebration of life for Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. Mayor Johnson will join Superintendent Snelling and the Chicago Police Department to honor the legacy of service Officer Martinez will forever inspire. Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with the Martinez family and Officer Martinez’s beloved fiancé.
The Mayor of Chicago will attend all honors funeral services for every, Police Officer, Firefighter or EMT who loses their life in the line of duty. These official honor services are solemn moments to honor the sacrifice of our officers and first responders. It is the Mayor’s honor to support the officers of the entire Chicago Police Department, especially in moments of grief."
Johnson released the following statement Saturday morning:
"The family of Officer Enrique Martinez continues to be in my prayers as they prepare to lay him to rest. I heard from the family and am honoring their request and will no longer plan to attend the honors funeral services. This has been an emotional two weeks for the loved ones of Officer Martinez, the Chicago Police Department, and the city of Chicago. We all want to do right by Officer Martinez and give his family and the CPD family space to grieve. The focus must remain on Officer Martinez, his loved ones, and the CPD as our city continues to honor his ultimate sacrifice and legacy of service."
During Friday’s press conference, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said the family is adamant about not wanting Johnson or Governor J.B. Pritzker at the services.
Earlier this week, the governor's office said they always respect the wishes of the family and will not attend.
A longtime friend of the Martinez family also spoke on Friday evening, along with fallen officer Luis Huesca’s mother, and State Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar.
Guerrero-Cuellar explained that Martinez’s family asked her to contact both the governor's office and the mayor's office to relay their request—just as she did for Huesca's funeral in April.
"I spoke to the Chief of Staff for the governor and immediately, immediately without hesitation, the governor respected the family’s wishes. I spoke to the Chief of Staff for Mayor Johnson, who I would say, disrespectfully and rudely did not understand the message I was trying to deliver, so therefore, I called the mayor directly; he did not answer. I sent a text message clearly stating what the family’s wishes were. I did not hear a response at any point in time, I still have not heard a response," Guerrero-Cuellar said. "I’m here to reiterate, this is very simple, the family is asking to respect their wishes for the mayor not to attend the funeral services. This is not about the mayor; this is about the family’s wishes."
Darion McMillian, 23, was charged with several felonies, including first-degree murder of a police officer in Martinez's killing.
Funeral Information
- A visitation for Officer Enrique Martinez will be held Sunday, Nov. 17, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 West 103rd Street in Oak Lawn.
- A Christian burial mass will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 South Western Avenue in Chicago.