HOMER GLEN, IL…. State Representative Patrick Sheehan (R-Lockport) has issued a statement following the murder of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez.
“As our communities continue to grapple with the horrific murder of Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martinez, we are confronted yet again with the irreparable consequences of lax criminal justice policies that favor lawlessness over law enforcement.
“Officer Martinez’s killer, Darion McMillian, was a career criminal with a history full of felony convictions, including battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm, who should not have been on the streets in the first place. Despite his dangerous record and a pending trial, he was simply released and given nothing more than a court date and an ankle monitor, which he promptly cut off after killing his friend and Officer Martinez.
“Officer Martinez’s murder is another terrible example of the impacts of Illinois’ disastrous set of soft-on-crime laws, which favor criminals over victims. Darion McMillian was not given pretrial release because of a technicality or an exceptional defense attorney but because of a crippled justice system encumbered with cashless bail, poor pretrial release standards, and strict limitations on judicial discretion. There are countless individuals with backgrounds similar to McMillian’s who are released back into our communities while awaiting trial, many of whom will likely be arrested and rereleased. Our state desperately needs common sense public safety reform emphasizing accountability for criminals and safety for our residents.
“Officer Martinez deserved better than to be gunned down at the hands of a repeat violent offender released into our streets before trial. My heart goes out to all who knew Officer Martinez as they continue to mourn the loss of such an incredible young man.”
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State Representative Patrick Sheehan represents the 37th District which includes portions of Will and Suburban Cook Counties. For more information, please visit RepSheehan.com or contact Rep. Sheehan’s district office at 708-694-2032