Mayor Johnson plans to attend funeral for Officer Martinez despite family not wanting him there

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will attend the funeral for fallen Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez on Monday despite the wishes of the officer's family.

Officer Martinez died in the line of duty earlier this month.

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The Fraternal Order of Police has said the officer's family does not want the Chicago mayor or Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to attend the funeral.

There was an impassioned plea from a friend of the Martinez's family during a Friday evening press conference at the 8th Police District. A line of solidarity formed late outside the Southwest Side police station to send a clear and blunt message on behalf of the family of Officer Martinez. Still too grief stricken to speak publicly, a family friend, George Barzydlo, delivered their demands.

"Enrique Martinez's family called me up this evening and said they could not do this," Barzydlo said. "They definitely do not want the mayor at any of the functions for Enrique. Plain and simple to the point."

Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed November 4 while conducting a traffic stop near 80th and Ingleside.

State representative Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, who's spoken with the Martinez family, said she already delivered the family's message in no uncertain terms to both Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson.

"Immediately without hesitation the governor respected the family's wishes," Guerrero-Cuellar said. "I called the mayor directly, he did not answer. I sent a text message clearly stating what the family's wishes were. Did not hear a response at any point in time. I still have not heard a response."

Governor Pritzker has said he will not attend.

"We always ask family members if they're comfortable with the Governor attending memorial services," a spokesperson for the governor said. "The absolute priority is making sure no additional stress is added to one of the worst days of their lives, and the Governor will always respect the wishes of the family. Governor Pritzker and the First Lady continue to hold Officer Martinez and his family in their thoughts and prayers."

Mayor Johnson's office said Friday afternoon, "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, and that it is the mayor's honor to support the officers of the entire Chicago Police Department, especially in moments of grief."

Edith Huesca made that same demand of Mayor Johnson just six months ago when her son, Officer Luis Huesca, was gunned down after returning home from work.

"If the mayor truly wants to honor fallen officers, change the policies that put them at risk... until then let this family mourn and honor Officer Martinez in peace," Edith Huesca said.

Mayor Johnson did not attend the funeral for Officer Huesca after he had initially planned to do so.

Officer Carlos Yanez, who lost his policing partner in a traffic stop shooting, made his personal plea to the mayor.

"I'm standing here speaking for the Martinez family that this mayor better not show up," Yanez said. "Haven't they gone through enough?"

A wake visitation service for Officer Martinez will be held Sunday Nov. 17 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday Nov. 18 at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel in Chicago.

A GoFundMe has been started to collect donations for the Martinez family.

Police said 23-year-old Darion McMillian shot and killed Martinez and the driver of the car McMillian was in before the Harvey man was arrested later that evening.

McMillian faces first-degree murder charges, along with attempted first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and more.

Last week, a judge ordered him to remain in custody pending trial.

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