CHICAGO (WGN) — Former classmates, teachers and the principal of St. Nicholas of Tolentine in West Lawn shared memories of fallen Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez Wednesday that span back decades, offering a moment of comfort in shared laughter — a characteristic common of Martinez before he was fatally shot and killed on the job earlier this week.
“He’s the most hilarious person I’ve ever known in my entire life,” said Marisa Galvan, a former classmate of Martinez. “We were always laughing.”
“When you’re around him, you know the Holy Spirit was right in there with Enrique,” said Dr. Mariagnes Menden, Principal at St. Nicholas. “He was enjoying the time, bringing forth the good in everyone.”
Martinez was a part of the Class of 2012 at St. Nicholas, where a number of his classmates knew him since kindergarten, where they grew up together, forming bonds they said lasted a lifetime.
“We got the chance to read together,” said Leisly Estrada, another one of Martinez’s classmates. “Read, [we] learned how to write, we learned everything together, basically.”
Martinez was just under two months away from his third anniversary as a police officer with the Chicago Police Department’s 6th district when he was shot and killed during a traffic stop. During an overnight press conference in the hours after his death, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said he would have passed three years of service on Dec. 27.
Martinez’s classmates said he often shared his dreams of joining law enforcement as far back as when they were in elementary school together, and even then, they said he had a particular department in mind that he wanted to join.
The Chicago Police Department.
Years later, his classmates said it came as no surprise when he made that dream a reality in 2021.
“He was proud of his brother when he became a police officer,” said Mrs. Lynn Connor, one of Martinez’s teachers growing up. “He was going to do the same thing. When I heard he became a police officer, I was like, ‘Atta boy … so proud of him.'”
“Him being a fellow officer of mine is just an additional family line that we share,” added Andres Naranjo, another former classmate of Martinez’s.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic Church will dedicate Thursday’s 7 p.m. mass to Martinez, followed by a vigil in his honor.
“I think everyone that knew him would agree we’re better for knowing him,” Connor said.
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