Chicago Police Funeral: Friends and family of fallen CPD officer Enrique Martinez gather at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel

CHICAGO (WLS) — Family and friends of Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez gathered Monday for the slain officer’s funeral.

Officer Martinez, who was recently hired, had been with the CPD for almost three years. Many say his service in Chicago will never be forgotten.

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The 26 year old was shot dead while on duty on Nov. 4, during a traffic stop in East Chatham. A 23-year-old man is charged with first-degree murder. He is a convicted felon who was under electronic surveillance when police say he shot and killed the officer.

Details of the encounter received a lot of attention in the days that followed, but Monday was the day to celebrate the officer, despite some back and forth over whether or not Some dignitaries were expected to be present.

When officer Martinez’s shift was about to begin, the rain also started. Amid the clouds and rain, family and friends mourned the fallen officer.

Officer Martinez’s body was led by flashing lights from the funeral home to St. Rita of Cascia for his funeral service.

While many lined up along the funeral procession route to pay their respects to Officer Martinez, others went a step further by adding hundreds of blue ribbons and bows to the chapel’s trees.

“I felt it was my duty to put up blue ribbons as a way to honor him,” Jenny Jurcak said.

Jurcak said she thought the chapel looked too plain. So, with the help of her own mother, she spent four and a half hours adding a bit of blue to the entire perimeter of the chapel.

“It’s a noble job. It’s very sad that you go to work and you can’t come home,” she said.

With two daughters on the force, she says the loss of Officer Martinez is personal.

“So I applaud him, and he’s a hero to me. You know, that’s why I had to do it in my little way and honor him,” Jurcak said.

Jurcak said she wants the community to better support first responders.

“First responders are your friend, they’re doing their job too, and respect them for that and hold them in high esteem because you know, they just don’t know when they’re doing this traffic stop. You know, that it could turn around and go the wrong way,” Jurcak said.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling spoke at the service Monday.

‘Do not doubt it; he was exemplary,” Snelling said. “This is his day; this is his family’s day, nothing more, nothing less.”

His colleagues talked about his laugh; his non-judgmental approach to everyone; his love of animals, having owned two German Shepherds himself; and his love for the profession.

“Enrique was the real police. He was the best officer; he loved this job. I was privileged to witness the best officer in the 6th precinct,” said Officer Francisco Nunez.

CPD Officer Lucas Michaels spoke during the “Night of the Funeral” fundraiser, which kicked off later Monday. It is a ritual intended to generate financial aid that goes to the fallen officer’s family.

“Every time I first think about getting started, I think of Enrique,” ​​Michaels said.

The two were still classmates at the academy around this time three years ago.

“They’re dedicating their lives, and they haven’t even lived a life yet,” said Rick Caballero, co-founder of Brotherhood for the Fallen, who also spoke at the fundraiser.

Among the hundreds of Chicago police officers present at the funeral were hundreds of officers from other jurisdictions.

There were also several police dogs.

“He left us with memories of laughter, love and loyalty. I miss my partner, my boyfriend, my brother, but I also carry with me the lessons he taught me, to cherish the people around us, to never take ourselves too seriously and to cherish each other’s feelings. back,” officer Abdullah Saleh said.

His older brother, who is also a Chicago police officer, talked about the lives Martinez likely saved the night he was killed.

Officer Adrian Martinez, Jr. also asked those present to say his brother’s name.

“So, if you could please repeat me. Agent Enrique Martinez, star no. 8314, we see you. We hear you. We feel you. You will never be forgotten,” Martinez said. “On his last tour, my brother looked evil and fear in the face and took his last breath. He was murdered on a cold, dark, forgotten street.”

Police work is in the Martinez family’s blood. Martinez spoke about their shared service.

“It was our calling to serve the underprivileged and protect the forgotten. We wanted to live the life of a hero,” he said. “That night my brother saved countless lives because he was pierced by multiple bullets. Every bullet that hit my brother could have taken the life of someone’s mother, father, sister, brother or friend… Part of us died like this Thanks the strength and courage of my brother we can all see another day.”

The funeral procession led family and close friends to a private resting place.

There will be a benefit for the Martinez family Monday evening from 7 to 11 p.m. at CineCity Studios, located at 2429 W. 14th St.

During a visit on Sunday, many from across the community showed an endless amount of love and support for the Martinez family.

SEE ALSO | Friends remember fallen Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez for his smile and sense of service

This is the second time in the last seven months that CPD will bury one of their own. Martinez was the fifth CPD officer killed in the line of duty in the last three years.

“We have to keep working; it reminds us how important we are and how much more there is to do,” Snelling said.

The police commissioner had to again place a folded flag in the arms of the mother of a fallen officer on Monday.

It was the flag that hung over Martinez’s casket for days as the community and department paid their respects to his career.

A GoFundMe has started collecting donations for the Martinez family.