Honoring

Police Officer Enrique Martinez

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

EOW: Nov. 4, 2024 | Age: 26 | Tour: 2 Years

Police Officer Enrique Martinez was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue at 8:00 p.m. Officer Martinez and his partner were speaking with the driver of the vehicle, who was blocking traffic. When they noticed the occupant in the passenger seat pick up a bag on the floor, they gave multiple instructions to stop reaching. The passenger pulled out a fully automatic handgun with an extended magazine and discharged a barrage of gunfire. Officer Martinez was struck multiple times. The driver was also hit multiple times. Then, the shooter pushed the driver out of the vehicle and attempted to drive away. Another officer attempted to pull the shooter out of the car but was dragged when the shooter put the car in reverse. The suspect crashed into a parked car and fled on foot. He was apprehended 10 minutes after running into an apartment and cutting off his electronic monitoring device. Officer Martinez was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds. The other officer was treated for minor injuries. The driver died at the scene. A third person in the back of the vehicle was arrested at the scene but was released without being charged. The shooter has been charged with felony counts of first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder of a police officer, burglary, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a gun as a felon. Police Officer Martinez had served with the Chicago Police Department for almost three years.

Honoring

Firefighter Marcelo Garcia

Houston Fire Department, Texas

EOW: Nov. 7, 2024 | Age: 42 | Tour: 10 Years

Houston firefighters are mourning the loss of one of their own. Firefighter Marcelo Garcia, 42, was killed when a wall collapsed at a three-alarm warehouse fire, Garcia, a 10-year veteran, was assigned to Station 23. KHOU reported. When the wall collapsed and a 'Mayday' was declared, a third alarm assignment was dispatched. He and another firefighter, who suffered minor injuries, were transported to Memorial Hermann at Texas Medical Center. Colleagues went to the hospital to support Garcia's family. "Every day, he woke up to serve the public, just like all our brothers and sisters in the Houston Fire Department,” Fire Chief Thomas Munoz added fighting through tears. “His reason was to serve the public; save lives, as the mayor said, so others can feel safe; a remarkable man who gave the ultimate sacrifice. And every firefighter that puts on that shirt, that patch, that badge, that’s the reason.” “He’s a man who woke up every morning to come to work. So he could help others and save lives: A hero, a true hero.”

Honoring

Police Officer Evan Dunn

Golden Police Department, Colorado

EOW: Nov. 6, 2024 | Age: 33 | Tour: 4 Months

Police Officer Evan Dunn was struck and killed by a drunk driver while investigating a crash scene on Highway 58 at 5:00 p.m. Officer Dunn and his partner were outside their patrol cars when a vehicle approached the scene and struck them. They were both trapped underneath the car from the original crash. Officer Dunn died at the scene. The other officer is in critical condition. The drivers from the initial crash were also injured from the impact. The suspect was apprehended and refused a blood and breathalyzer test. Officer Dunn is a United States Army and Army National Guard veteran and served with the Golden Police Department for four months. He is survived by his wife, parents, and two siblings.