Logo

Broken kin of a 26-year-old cop killed by his dad in a slay-suicide paid a heartbreaking tribute to the victim at his funeral Friday — while Mayor Eric Adams called the horror “one of the greatest Shakespearian tragedies.”

The shattered family of Officer Alexis Martinez sat in the front row of a packed St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Manhattan wearing matching white t-shirts that featured a baseball player on the back — with angel wings — smashing a hit.

Also among the mourners was the teenage high-school baseball team from the borough’s St. Raymond in their black and orange uniforms — there to honor Martinez, a graduate and former a standout player who still played ball with an NYPD group.

“I am lost [at what] to say to the city of New York during this time when we once again see one of our heroes prematurely lose their life at such a young age,” Mayor Adams told the crowd. “This is probably one of the greatest Shakespearian tragedies one can imagine.”

Martinez was killed on Aug. 3 by his own father while sleeping at his dad’s apartment in Soundview.


  The cop’s family paid a touching tribute to Martinez at his funeral with t-shirts honoring their “angel.” Tomas E. Gaston The cop’s family paid a touching tribute to Martinez at his funeral with t-shirts honoring their “angel.” Tomas E. Gaston

Police sources say the father, who then fatally turned the gun on himself, had been suffering from mental illness.

One of the cop’s teammates discovered the grisly scene while checking on Martinez after he missed one of their baseball games.


  Martinez was killed on Aug. 3 by his own father while sleeping at his dad’s apartment in Soundview. Tomas E. Gaston Martinez was killed on Aug. 3 by his own father while sleeping at his dad’s apartment in Soundview. Tomas E. Gaston

  Fellow NYPD officers salute Martinez’s casket. Tomas E. Gaston Fellow NYPD officers salute Martinez’s casket. Tomas E. Gaston

Martinez was remembered Friday for his “life of service” and the positive contributions he made in his short life to the community he grew up in.

The young cop graduated from St Raymond High School for Boysin 2014 after helping to take the team to a city championship the year before — and had recently set up a scholarship fund to help pay for the current team’s Florida spring training trip.

His former coach described Martinez as an incredible player who was the core of the school’s championship team.


  Alexis Martinez was murdered by his suicidal dad last week.
 Alexis Martinez was murdered by his suicidal dad last week.

“As quiet as he was, just with his smile he could really bring his team together,” Athletic Director Benjamin Aguirre said. “He came back on his own will, wanting to set up a scholarship for our young guys going out to Florida for spring training because he knew what St Raymond’s did.”

One of the current team members, 17-year-old Marius Haughton, who attended the funeral in his St. Ray’s Ravens jersey, said Martinez was a “really cool man” who helped him and his family.

“The money gave me an opportunity to go to Florida and play baseball for my team. I am really blessed to be in that position,” Marius said of the scholarship.


  More than a thousand cops gathered outside the church to honor the slain cop Friday. Tomas E. Gaston More than a thousand cops gathered outside the church to honor the slain cop Friday. Tomas E. Gaston

“With his passing, I feel it’s another person I owe,” said the incoming senior, who has his sights set on pro ball.

“I will be doing it for him,” he vowed.

NYPD Deputy Inspector Hipolito Gil said, “Alexis, I told you you were destined for greatness the likes of which we have never seen in this department, and you were well on your way.

“We are heartbroken beyond comprehension.”

A band of nearly two dozen pipers and drummers performed “Amazing Grace” as Martinez’s coffin — draped in an NYPD flag — was carried into the church in Upper Manhattan as more than 1,000 officers gathered outside.

The somber mood inside the church was only broken when the family and friends embraced before taking Communion.

“We must recommit ourselves to deal with mental health, we must recommit ourselves to our family, we must recommit ourselves to being a place where God reigns,” said the mayor, who was joined at the service by newly appointed Police Commissioner Edward Caban and other top NYPD brass.

“To the mother who has lost a son, you have gained a family in the process. On behalf of the people of the City of New York, the police commissioner and the entire New York City Police Department, we stand with you.”

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy