On the one-year anniversary of Officer Alexis Martinez’s passing, his family paid tribute to his legacy at the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Felix Camacho, Alexis Martinez’s cousin, reminisced about the day he received the phone call as if it were just yesterday.
The heartbreaking incident that occurred within Martinez’s family left them grappling with unanswered questions. Martinez’s father, who was struggling with mental health issues, shot him before taking his own life. The family still finds it difficult to comprehend the tragedy that struck them.
Camacho reflected on the past year and expressed her disbelief at how much the world has changed. “It’s difficult to comprehend that an entire year has passed and we’re still feeling the effects of the pandemic,” she said.
A Bronx narcotics officer named Martinez swiftly rose through the ranks of the NYPD due to his strong ambition and drive. Even at the young age of 26, he was already striving to earn his detective shield, as per his cousin’s description.
Camacho stated that the individual thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of being a police officer, and had ambitions of progressing further in the field. Additionally, he was well on his way to achieving his goals.
Camacho and Martinez were born just two weeks apart and were inseparable from a young age. To honor his cousin’s memory, Camacho made the decision to enroll in the police academy in Philadelphia.
Camacho expressed that his main inspiration for pursuing a career in law enforcement was his grandfather. He shared, “I will have the privilege of wearing his badge number, which will serve as a daily reminder of why I put on the uniform. His memory will always be with me, and I will carry it for the rest of my life.”