Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced he will attend funeral services next week for slain Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez — despite the family’s wishes, according to a published report.
The Mayor’s office told CBS News Chicago Friday that Johnson planed to attend Monday’s funeral alongside Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling.
“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. These official honor services are solemn moments to honor the sacrifice of our officers and first responders,” the Mayor’s office told CBS News Chicago. “It is the Mayor’s honor to support the officers of the entire Chicago Police Department, especially in moments of grief.”
However, the family has been “very clear they do not want the governor or the mayor to attend” the funeral, John Catanzara, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said said in a video posted on YouTube last week.
He added that Gov. Pritzker has acknowledged the request and indicated he plans to honor it, but Johnson has yet to follow suit.
The Mayor’s office could not be reached for comment Friday.
Martinez, 26, was killed Nov. 4 during a traffic stop in the Chatham neighborhood. He was shot several times and pronounced dead at University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was driven by fellow officers. He had been on the job less than three years.