Brandon Johnson reverses plan to attend funeral of slain Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Saturday he will not attend funeral services next week for slain Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez after initially saying he would despite the family's wishes."The family of Officer Enrique Martinez continues to be in my prayers as they prepare to lay him to rest," Johnson said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "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."Martinez, 26, was killed Nov. 4 during a traffic stop in the Chatham neighborhood. He was shot several times and pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was driven by fellow officers. He had been on the job for less than three years.The officer's family has been “very clear they do not want the governor or the mayor to attend” the funeral, John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said in a video posted on YouTube last week. The Mayor's office told CBS News Chicago Friday that Johnson planned to attend Monday's funeral alongside Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling. "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," the Mayor's office told CBS News Chicago. "It is the Mayor's honor to support the officers of the entire Chicago Police Department, especially in moments of grief."Johnson caught flak from other elected officials for initially saying he would attend, including Ald. Gil Villegas (36th)."This is about the family having the right to want to grieve their son and no one, no one should disrespect that. Respect the family’s decision, @ChicagosMayor," Villegas wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Saturday morning.
Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Saturday he will not attend funeral services next week for slain Chicago police Officer Enrique Martinez after initially saying he would despite the family's wishes.
"The family of Officer Enrique Martinez continues to be in my prayers as they prepare to lay him to rest," Johnson said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "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."
Martinez, 26, was killed Nov. 4 during a traffic stop in the Chatham neighborhood. He was shot several times and pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was driven by fellow officers. He had been on the job for less than three years.
The officer's family has been “very clear they do not want the governor or the mayor to attend” the funeral, John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said in a video posted on YouTube last week.
The Mayor's office told CBS News Chicago Friday that Johnson planned to attend Monday's funeral alongside Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling.
"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," the Mayor's office told CBS News Chicago. "It is the Mayor's honor to support the officers of the entire Chicago Police Department, especially in moments of grief."
Johnson caught flak from other elected officials for initially saying he would attend, including Ald. Gil Villegas (36th).
"This is about the family having the right to want to grieve their son and no one, no one should disrespect that. Respect the family’s decision, @ChicagosMayor," Villegas wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Saturday morning.
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