A funeral was held on Monday for Enrique Martinez, a Chicago police officer who died in the line of duty two weeks ago, but the mayor did not attend at the request of the officer's family.
Darrion C. McMillian, 23, is charged with multiple felonies, including one count of first-degree murder, for allegedly killing a 26-year-old police officer on Nov. 4.
“My brother and I…we wanted to be Chicago police officers…that was our calling,” Martinez's brother Adrian Martinez, also a police officer, told mourners at the funeral. “For us, being a police officer was more than just a job title, it was also a role.”
Hundreds of mourners, including police officers, citizens, and civil servants, gathered for the funeral.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson originally planned to attend the service, but reversed his decision on Saturday. Fox 32 reported.
“Officer Enrique Martinez's family continues to be in my prayers as they prepare for his burial. I have heard from the family, I respect their wishes, and I plan to attend a funeral with honors in the future. No,” the mayor's statement said.
“The last two weeks have been emotional for Officer Martinez's loved ones, 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 some space to grieve.” We want to honor Officer Martinez, his loved ones, and CPD as our city continues to honor his ultimate sacrifice and legacy.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at Chicago City Hall on January 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
This latest statement follows previous comments in which the mayor said he would be present on Friday.
“Mayor Johnson will attend the honorable funeral and final celebration of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. Mayor Johnson joins Superintendent Snelling and the Chicago Police Department in honoring Officer Martinez, who will forever be an inspiration. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to the Martinez family and Officer Martinez's beloved fiancée.
WATCH: Hundreds mourn Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez
“The Mayor of Chicago attends all honorable funerals for all police officers, firefighters, and EMTs who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This is a solemn moment to honor their sacrifices, and I am honored by the Mayor to support our officers across the Chicago Police Department, especially in this moment of sadness.”
Representatives for Mr. Martinez's family held a news conference Friday night and said Mr. Johnson and Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker were not welcome at the funeral. Fox 32 reported.
The newspaper said the governor's office always respected the wishes of the family and said it would not attend.
Chicago officials discuss killing of city police officer
Visiting service of Police Officer Enrique Martinez. (Facebook/Chicago Police Department)
shooting incident in chicago
Chicago police said the shooting occurred when Martinez and his partner responded to a report of a vehicle blocking traffic in East Chatham with three people inside.
Police said Martinez and his partner spoke with the driver and observed McMillian reaching for a bag on the floor of the vehicle before additional officers arrived to help.
When McMillian was told to stop, he pulled out a handgun and fired, fatally wounding Martinez, police said.
“Officer Martinez and all of our officers are running into this danger to protect everyone in our city,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a recent news conference. “We all need to be outraged against the violent criminals who create an endless cycle of trauma in our communities.
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Chicago Police announced the arrest of Darrion McMillian, who is charged in connection with the murder of Officer Enrique Martinez. (Chicago Police Department)
Martinez is survived by his mother, Rosa; father, Adrian; My sister Angelica. According to his brother Adrian and fiancée Leslie, news of his death.
Adrian Martinez said at his funeral: “The night my brother was murdered, he was taken from us all and the world stopped. On his last tour, he took his last breath with a look of evil and fear on his face.” Ta. “That night, my brother was pierced by multiple bullets and saved countless lives. Every bullet that hit my brother took the life of someone's mother, father, sister, brother, or friend. There is a possibility that
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“Thanks to my brother's strength and courage, we can all see another day, embrace our loved ones…and live without fear. Enrique will always be my brother…you will never… I will never forget it.”
Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
