OfficerBlueThe incident occurred 10 days prior on the Gulf Freeway in the area of FM 646, in League City, according to ABC 13. Officer Martinez was off-duty and apparently working an off-duty job where he was escorting several permitted or oversized loads, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
He was passing the trucks in the convoy when he laid his motorcycle down to avoid a collision. Officer Martinez’ motorcycle struck the rear of one of the trucks that he was escorting, and he was ‘severely’ injured. He was airlifted to Hermann Memorial Hospital, where he remained until he died on Sunday.
In a Facebook post, the Houston Metro Police Department said:
“Our hearts are heavy. On Sunday, the METRO family lost one of its own. Officer Elias “Sonny” Martinez passed away from injuries sustained during an off-duty motorcycle accident. Officer Martinez was a 25-year METRO Police Department veteran in the Motor Unit. He was a special public servant and an extraordinary police officer. He will be missed by many.”
Montgomery SO Reserve Deputy Lyndia Ramsey posted in memory:
Meeting “Sonny” Martinez in July 1993 was truly a life changing experience for me. Being a Rookie Officer but having some law enforcement experience under my belt, it was both educating and fun to see him and the other Officers dealing with those who did not always feel “Metro Police Department” was of the same authority as HPD or HCSO.
I retired from Metro in 2008, but am still working in Law Enforcement as a Dispatcher and Reserve Deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, I have the enjoyment of telling some “War Stories” from working with Sonny and it warms my heart.
He really did have a smile that could brighten you day even when you just finished the worst shift of your life. He would be the first to put out his hand and give you either a firm handshake, or to us female Officers get a big brother hug.
With his smile and personality I have watched him soften an unwilling suspect into a safely handcuffed individual. I’ve seen him make an entire room burst into laughter until there were tears in their eyes.
I will forever miss him, I will forever call him my Brother, and I will forever be so proud to be known as a friend to him.
My prayers to his wife, his children, his brothers and sisters in blue, his friends, and to all the many lives he has touch because of being the wonderful person that he chose to be while he lived on this earth. Heaven has really got an Angel with that loving smile this time. I know he’ll keep watch over the rest of us while he’s on duty up stairs.
Rest now Soldier, your tour of duty is over.
Officer Elias Martinez was a 25-year veteran of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Metro Police Officer Elias Martinez, both blood and blue. Godspeed, sir, we will take the watch from here. Thank you for your service.