CHICAGO — The family of slain Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez does not want Mayor Brandon Johnson or Gov. JB Pritzker to attend his funeral next Monday. This is evident from a video message from John Catanzara, president of the police union, which represents the ‘blue shirt’ police officers in Chicago.
The union boss called Martinez “another bright star” of the department’s future, “taken away far too soon by a piece of trash that should never have been on the street.”
Officials have said Darion killed McMillian Martinez and the driver of a vehicle McMillian was riding in by spraying automatic gunfire during a traffic stop on Nov. 4. He was under electronic monitoring for pending cases in Will County and cut off his ankle monitor while trying to run away. away from police, prosecutors said.
Catanzara said Martinez’s family has made it “very clear” they do not want the mayor or governor to attend. Although the governor quickly acknowledged and honored the request, Catanzara claimed Johnson failed to do so.
He recalled similar requests from the family of another officer killed earlier this year, Luis Huesca.
According to Catanzara, Pritzker quickly complied with the Huesca family’s wishes, but Johnson’s administration and the CPD chief tried to convince the grieving family that Johnson “was necessary and obligated to be present at this funeral as part of this honor package.” ” Ultimately, Johnson was not present.
“Shame on you, Mayor Johnson,” Catanzara scolded in his video, saying the mayor had not publicly or privately acknowledged the Martinez family’s request.
The union chief said he was “waiting to see if you would be a class act or a piece of trash.” Don’t show up.”
“Go ahead and do the right thing,” Catanzara concluded.
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