Funeral held for METRO officer who died in crash
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The entire METRO police department gave a final salute today to an officer who died from his injuries sustained during a crash.
METRO Officer Elias "Sonny" Martinez Jr. was off duty when he died.
He was a 25-year veteran of the department.
Martinez, who was assigned to METRO's motor unit, was injured September 8 when his motorcycle crashed while serving as an oversized load escort on the Gulf Freeway near FM-646. He passed away more than a week after the crash.
He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, two sons and a grandson.
None of his immediate family spoke today during the service, but we did hear from a cousin before the mass began.
He said Martinez was not only a leader in the community, he was a leader in their tight-knit family.
His funeral was held at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Tuesday morning.
METRO police said officers with Dallas Area Rapid Transit are in town to cover duties for Houston transit officers who attended the service.
METRO also said bus routes are being detoured through 2 p.m. today in conjunction with the funeral service. You can find the adjusted routes on METRO website.
