Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will not attend the funeral of slain Officer Enrique Martinez on Monday — honoring the family’s wishes that politicians steer clear of the service.
Johnson initially planned to attend but made an about-face following backlash for failing to respect the grieving family’s request.
“The family of Officer Enrique Martinez continues to be in my prayers as they prepare to lay him to rest. I heard from the family and am honoring their request and will no longer plan to attend the honors funeral services,” his office said in a statement, according to NBC Chicago.
“This has been an emotional two weeks for the loved ones of Officer Martinez, the Chicago Police Department, and the city of Chicago. We all want to do right by Officer Martinez and give his family and the CPD family space to grieve,” it added.
“The focus must remain on Officer Martinez, his loved ones, and the CPD as our city continues to honor his ultimate sacrifice and legacy of service.”
Johnson’s reversal comes just one day after a friend of Martinez’s family made an impassioned plea outside the 8th Police District that neither Johnson nor Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker attend the service.
“Enrique Martinez’s family called me up this evening and said they could not do this,” George Barzydlo said.
“They definitely do not want the mayor at any of the functions for Enrique. Plain and simple to the point.”
Martinez, 26, was killed in the line of duty earlier this month during a traffic stop.
Darion McMillian, the passenger seat of the pulled-over vehicle, whipped out an automatic pistol and allegedly opened fire — killing Martinez and the driver of the car.
