The family members did not want him to attend.
A funeral service for Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, who was tragically killed in the line of duty two weeks ago, took place on Monday. The service was attended by hundreds of mourners, including police officers, citizens, and public officials. However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson did not attend the ceremony, as the officer’s family had specifically requested his absence.
Enrique Martinez, 26, was shot and killed on November 4 while responding to a report of a vehicle blocking traffic in the East Chatham neighborhood. During the interaction, Darion C. McMillian, 23, allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Martinez when ordered to stop reaching for a bag in the vehicle. McMillian has been charged with several felonies, including first-degree murder.
At the funeral, Martinez’s brother, Adrian Martinez, also a Chicago police officer, spoke emotionally about their shared desire to serve as officers. He explained that becoming a police officer was not just a job but a calling for him and his late brother. The family’s decision to request the mayor’s absence was made public through a press conference on Friday, and it was respected by both Mayor Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker, who chose not to attend out of respect for the family’s wishes.
Mayor Johnson had initially planned to attend but reversed his decision, stating that he would honor the family’s request for privacy. He also emphasized the importance of allowing Officer Martinez’s family, the Chicago Police Department, and the community to mourn. The focus, he said, should remain on honoring Martinez’s sacrifice and his legacy of service.
Officer Martinez is survived by his parents, Rosa and Adrian, his sister Angelica, his brother Adrian, and his fiancée Lesly. At the funeral, his brother described how Enrique faced danger head-on, saving countless lives in his final moments. He highlighted the personal loss felt by their family and the broader community, noting that each bullet that struck Martinez could have taken the life of someone else’s loved one.
