HOUSTON – Senior police officer Elias ‘Sonny’ Martinez, a 25-year veteran with the Metro Police Department, was laid to rest Tuesday.
His funeral service was held at 9:30 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
Martinez died Sept. 17 from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash in League City.
Please keep the family of METRO Police Officer Elias "Sonny" Martinez in your thoughts and prayers. -M pic.twitter.com/BKplJwFegg
— METRO Houston (@METROHouston) September 19, 2017
Police said he was working an off-duty job and escorting an oversized load on the Gulf Freeway on Sept. 8 when Martinez was thrown from his motorcycle as the convoy tried to exit onto FM 646.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Fellow officers of the Metro Police Department called Martinez a special public servant and an extraordinary police officer.
"He cared. He cared so much. He cared so much about his job, his fellow officers, his family. He was one of the best," said Martinez's cousin Cindy Delano.
Martinez, 56, leaves behind a wife and two sons. It was a shock to his wife and sons as they sat outside the church for the full military-style honors.
WATCH FULL SERVICE: Officer Elias Martinez funeral service
"They're dealing with it. They have faith. Sonny's on his way to heaven," said Martinez's cousin Rick Escodeo.
The 100 Club is planning to give his family $20,000 right away, and possibly more money in the future, to help with its financial needs.
Martinez's family plans to bury him in Goliad, near Victoria, Wednesday. That is where his family is from, and that will be his final resting place.
