Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca’s funeral was held on April 29th, but Mayor Brandon Johnson did not show up despite his earlier promise to do so.
Just two days before his 31st birthday, Huesca was shot and killed in Gage Park on his commute home from work on April 21st. He had served for six years with the department.
Officer Luis M. Huesca was discovered wounded by numerous gunshot wounds around 3 o’clock in the morning on Sunday after officers acted on a ShotSpotter alarm.
As reported by Huesca’s family, Johnson unexpectedly canceled his intention to attend Huesca’s ceremony on Monday morning after telling the media on Sunday night that he would be there.
At Friday night’s visitation, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza tweeted that Officer Huesca’s grieving mother had urged Rep. Angelica Guerrero Cuellar and herself to inform the mayor of Chicago that he was not welcome at her son’s burial. The mayor confirmed his absence in a revised statement released early Monday morning.
Johnson has sent his condolences to the family and friends of Officer Luis Huesca, whom he called a beloved member of the community and a valued colleague. As mayor of Chicago, his commitment to the first responders will remain unwavering. He intends to unite the city and work with every citizen to improve and secure the community.
Mendoza expressed her gratitude to Johnson for honoring the desires of the Huesca family in response to his remarks.
Numerous requests to have a sitting mayor skip a funeral for a deceased police officer have been made before.
In 2021, the former Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, visited Carlos Yanez, Ella French’s partner, at a hospital. Several law enforcement officers then turned their backs and ignored Lightfoot.
Despite the tension, Lightfoot still attended French’s funeral.
