Hundreds of mourners streamed into Blake-Lamp Funeral Home on Sunday in suburban Oak Lawn to pay their respects to slain Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez. The visitation service drew law enforcement officials from across the country, including officers from Fort Worth, Texas; New York City; and Minneapolis. A massive American flag hung from the ladder of a Chicago Fire Department truck in front of the funeral home.
Maria Marmolejo, chairwoman of CPD Gold Star Families, said she spoke with Martinez’s family during the service, and they want people to remember that the 26-year-old was more than just a police officer.
“He had a whole life to live, and it was cut very short,” Marmolejo said. “There are things that we really need to remember and honor. He was a human being, he was a great person, he was fun, he was a great gift-giver, he was a beautiful person. Let’s remember him that way.”
Marmolejo knows what the family is going through. She is the widow of CPD Officer Eduardo Marmolejo, who was killed in 2018.
Brenda Valadez, whose brother, CPD Officer Alejandro Valadez, was killed in 2009, said it’s important to show the family support because they will never be the same.
“When we went through a terrible time we didn’t want anyone else to go through the same thing,” Valadez said. “To know that the family is destroyed, their lives will never be what they were, is the hardest part. This keeps happening, and we hope there’s a time when we don’t have to be standing out here going through this again.”
Martinez was shot to death Nov. 4 during a traffic stop in Chatham. He was a month shy of completing three years as a police officer.
John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, lamented that a young officer with a bright future was killed while trying to do his job.
“Yet another young officer lost far too soon who was trying to do right by this city and its citizens,” Catanzara said. “Unfortunately, he paid for it with his life.”
Retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Eugene Roy spoke to media outside the visitation, echoing the sentiments of the others.
“These officers watched their friend, their colleague die in front of them. They’re scarred for life,” Roy said. “They’re gonna carry that with them for the rest of their life, but you know something, they’re going to be back out there the next day protecting you and protecting me.”
Funeral services for Martinez will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church, 7740 S. Western Ave. in the Ashburn neighborhood.
Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to Officer Martinez, remembering him as more than just a police officer, but as a beautiful person who had a lot to live for. While the family and fellow officers will carry the trauma with them for the rest of their lives, they will continue to serve and protect the city.
* Who was Officer Enrique Martinez?
+ Enrique Martinez was a 26-year-old Chicago Police officer who was shot to death during a traffic stop on November 4.
* What was the purpose of the visitation?
+ The visitation service was held to pay respect to Officer Martinez and for his family and fellow officers to mourn his loss.
* What was the theme of the visitation?
+ The theme was to remember Officer Martinez not just as a police officer, but as a person who had a lot of life left to live, and to honor his memories.
