CHICAGO (Wales) — The man accused of killing Chicago police officer Enrique Martinez, 26, appeared in court Thursday.

Darion McMillian, 23, of Harvey, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. illegal use of a weapon and more. The judge decided to keep him in custody.

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Those who knew and loved the martyred officer are speaking out.

His family left a Cook County courtroom in tears Thursday after hearing more details about the deadly shooting.

Martinez’s brother, an officer, was among dozens of CPD officers in attendance.

“They became part of a big family that no one really wanted to be a part of, but here we are,” said Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.

The Cook County prosecutor told the judge that McMillian was a danger to the public.

At trial, the prosecutor said Officer Martinez and his partner saw a vehicle double parked with broken taillights and fake license plates, and moments after walking toward the vehicle, McMillian fired a gun.

“The defendant then removed a .40-caliber firearm equipped with a fully automatic switch from his backpack and fired multiple shots in the direction of Officer Martínez and the third victim,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Anne McCord. he said.

The third victim was the driver.

The prosecutor alleged McMillian pushed the driver out of the car, put the car in reverse and dragged another officer with the car.

At a vigil Thursday night, friends, family and neighbors poured out their grief and tried to buoy his family in this time of tragedy.

“He was there countless times for other people, so I think we owe it to him to kind of welcome him and his family,” attendee Carlos Martinez said.

The vigil was held at St. Paul’s Church on the West Lawn, where the officer was known, respected and loved. It took place after the service at the Church of St. Nicholas of Tolentine.

“He was such a wonderful person, he would smile big at his friends and light up the room,” said attendee Francisco Gutierrez.

Martinez, St. He attended elementary school in St. Nicholas and then graduated from nearby Hubbard High School. Blue ribbons now adorn the campus in his honor.

“I see him in the halls, I see the smile on his face, I see him as a true leader and always volunteering,” said Hubbard Principal Angelica Altamirano.

Martinez was in the Junior ROTC program at Hubbard and commanded the drum and bugle corps. There are now plans to name a drill hall in his honor.

“It made me even more proud of him when he came into his line of service as a police officer,” said band director Bryan Espinoza.

CPD Officer Carlos Yañez was also in court Thursday. He was left with permanent injuries following a traffic stop in which Officer Ella French was fatally shot.

“I see families coming in there and it’s just so sad, so sad. I can’t put into words how hard it is. It’s so scary,” she said. “I know what these police officers and the family are going through. My wife and I cry all the time about this; we pray for the families.”

Some of Martinez’s very close school friends said his charismatic personality and sense of service will never be forgotten.

“It’s still a little shocking,” said CPD Officer Andres Naranjo, a close friend of Officer Martinez. “Like a pendulum.”

Officer Naranjo said he was in a state of confused disbelief, days after losing Officer Martinez, whom he described as his best friend on duty.

“There are times when I don’t believe what’s happening, and there are other moments when I realize it’s happening,” Naranjo said.

Three years into the job, Martinez, Naranjo and another close friend, Marisa Galvan, attended St. Louis, the small, close-knit Catholic elementary school on West 62nd Street. They grew up at Nicholas of Tolentine School, where they graduated from eighth grade. In 2012.

“We attended St. Nicholas from kindergarten through eighth grade,” Galvan said. “To me, he will be remembered as the funniest person I have ever met in my life.”

Galvan said looking at Martinez’s old school yearbook photos, her smile will stay with him forever.

“Never take life too seriously,” Galvan said. “Now I know that every time I laugh it won’t be the same.”

Naranjo said Martinez was the best man at his wedding. The two were also bonded by their common desire to serve the city as Chicago police officers.

“We both grew up saying we wanted to be police officers,” Naranjo said. “We want to be able to help others. That’s how we were; that’s how he was.”

Officer Martinez died while on duty Monday night during a traffic stop near 80th Street and Ingleside Boulevard.

Police said McMillian shot and killed Martinez and the driver of the car he was in, and the Harvey man was arrested later that evening.

Now, St. In St. Nicholas, a small monument stands on the front wall of the school he attended to commemorate the young officer’s selfless service.

“We are a strong family,” said Principal Mariagnes Menden. “We lean on each other; we’re there for each other.”

Menden said that his energy and sense of service at the school will never be forgotten.

“He was brave and he really saw the other and he really wanted things to be better for them,” Menden said.

A GoFundMe has been started to raise funds for the Martinez family.

Chicago police said Officer Martinez and his partner approached a vehicle blocking traffic Monday night, when McMillian, who was in the passenger seat, ignored police commands, reached into a bag on the ground and pulled out a fully automatic handgun.

CPD said McMillian shot and killed Officer Martinez along with the driver of the car in the exchange of gunfire.

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Police allege McMillian dragged Martinez’s partner and he fired a single shot into the ground.

CPD said McMillian then crashed into a woman’s first-floor apartment on the next block and used a knife he found to cut off her electronic monitoring bracelet, then tried to run away and was arrested by police.

Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke at a police news conference Wednesday.

“Officer Martinez saved lives even though he knew it could cost him his life,” Johnson said.

Will County court documents show McMillian attempted to “…beat a drug screening test…” two months ago, an arrestable offense under the SAFE-T Act.

So the judge ordered McMillian to wear the electronic monitoring bracelet he allegedly cut.

Documents also show McMillian was released from prison last July after serving more than three years for a separate firearm-related aggravated discharge charge.

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