Fallen Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez honored at Sunday Mass
CHICAGO - Pews were packed inside St. Christina Parish Sunday morning as police officers, firefighters, paramedics and residents came together remembering fallen Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez.
"We have to make it our goal that this is the last time an officer is killed," said 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez.
Martinez, 26, would have marked his third year on the force on Dec. 27, but his life was cut short Monday night when he was shot while conducting a traffic stop in the 8200 block of South Ingleside Avenue.
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Family, friends and fellow officers gather to remember slain Chicago cop's commitment to service
Family, friends, and fellow classmates and officers gathered Thursday night for a Mass dedicated to slain Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez, who was killed during a traffic stop on Monday.
On Wednesday, 23-year-old Darion McMillian was charged with several felonies, including first-degree murder of a police officer in Martinez's killing.
Martinez was recently engaged, had a love for animals and was the owner of two dogs. He had big dreams and always wanted to be a police officer.
"If there's any silver lining to these great tragedies, it's that people see that real heroes live amongst us. They're our sons and daughters, they're our brothers and sisters, they're our neighbors. They deserve our love and respect," one attendee said.
At Sunday's Mass, Rev. Ryan Brady challenged parishioners to pray, especially when the pain can be unbearable.
Lopez said, "Faith without action is a lie and lawmakers need to step up."
A visitation and mass for Martinez is scheduled for November 17th and 18th.
Funeral Information
- A visitation for Officer Enrique Martinez will be held Sunday, Nov. 17, from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 West 103rd Street in Oak Lawn.
- A Christian burial mass will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 South Western Avenue in Chicago.