Latest news with #DavisMartinez
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family, loved ones of Davis Martinez honored during final bill signing of 2025
Blanca Garcia-Martinez, mother of slain parole agent Davis Martinez, attends an event for the signing of a bill, named after her son, to boost protections for state workers. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Family, loved ones and colleagues of Davis Martinez gathered in Annapolis Tuesday for a bittersweet occasion – to witness the signing of a law named to honor the slain parole agent's memory by boosting protections for state workers. 'His family and his loved ones turned that pain into purpose,' Gov. Wes Moore (D) said before signing the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act. 'They came to Annapolis to advocate the legislation that would help ensure what happened [to Martinez] would never happen again.' It was just one of 181 bill signed into law Tuesday in the final bill signing session after a challenging 2025 legislative session. The measures ranged from the mundane to the major — the fiscal 2026 budget — and included moments of personal reflection from House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) and pure elation from long-suffering advocates finally seeing victory. Martinez became the first parole agent killed in the line of duty when he was brutally slain on the morning of May 31, 2024, while making a routine check on a parolee at a home in Silver Spring. Martinez's supervisors did not check on him until well into the evening, after coworkers noticed him missing and expressed concern for his well-being. Police found Martinez dead with multiple stab wounds at the home of the parolee, Emanuel Edward Sewell, who was arrested a day later in West Virginia and has since been charged with first-degree murder in Martinez's death. Martinez's family and labor unions called on the legislature to boost protections for state employees in the wake of the killing, which led to Senate Bill 26 and House Bill 176, which passed with unanimous approval. The legislation, now law, will provide better oversight of state workplaces and create a unit within the Division of Labor and Industry focused on public employee safety and health. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said Martinez represents thousands of Maryland's 'dedicated state workers that show up to work every single day to serve others.' 'We are so deeply sorry for your loss, and we hope that this piece of legislation … is one small step to honor your loved one's memory,' he told Martinez's family. Tuesday's bill signing began with Moore and legislative leadership looking back on a legislative session filled with challenges – including a multibillion-dollar budget deficit and rapid-fire policy changes at the federal level. In spite of those challenges, Moore signed House Speaker Adrienne Jones' (D-Baltimore County) bill combining several current state offices to create a new Department of Social and Economic Mobility. Jones believes that her legislation House Bill 1253 runs 'in stark contrast' to the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. 'When we say social and economic mobility, let's be very clear on what we're talking about,' Jones said Tuesday. 'We're talking about the strength of our diversity. We're talking about promoting equity and we're talking about creating inclusion in all spaces. I'm not afraid to say it.' She noted that the bill was personal for her as a Black woman. 'I've walked on to an unleveled playing field. I've been kept out of rooms, meetings and buildings solely because of my race and gender,' she said. 'We've come a long way since these times … and I refuse to let us go back today.' Jones extended that promise to Maryland's immigrant community, much of whome feel unsafe from the Trump administration's increased deportation efforts on undocumented immigrants. She highlighted House Bill 1222, which directs the Maryland Attorney General to develop guidelines that clarify how officials at 'sensitive locations' — which include public schools, places of worship, courthouses, hospitals and similar locations — should interact with federal immigration enforcement agents. 'The fear felt in Maryland's immigrant communities is real right now,' Jones said. 'Marylanders should feel safe while seeking medical care, pursing education and going to church … But as we see the suspension of the process and as we see a continued erosion of basic human dignity in our immigrant communities, we know this work is far from over.' The Tuesday bill signing also included the approval of the 2026 budget and a dense energy package, two heavily debated topics over the legislative session. But despite the weighty topics, there were also some moments of celebration during the event. Longtime health care advocate Vincent DeMarco celebrated the governor's signature on House Bill 424 and Senate Bill 357, which will expand the authority of the state's current Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help bring prescription drug costs down for all Marylanders. Currently, the board only looks at the cost of drugs for state employee health plans. During the bill signing, Moore gave a shout-out to DeMarco as someone who 'has been a champion for affordable health care for decades.' DeMarco later said he was 'ecstatic' about the board's expansion. Moore also signed off on one of his priority bills, to reform the state's procurement process – a topic that he admitted was 'not sexy' but is 'absolutely essential in delivering economic growth and building pathways to work, wages and wealth.' House Bill 500 reworks several parts of the state's procurement laws to support more minority-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses, increase oversight of procurements, along with other changes. Moore said that the bills signed Tuesday were reflective of the hard work the legislature, his administration and advocates put into the bills during the challenging 2025 session. 'We had to be nimble in the face of uncertainty and be courageous in the face of chaos,' Moore said. 'If there is one thing we're able to prove in this session is this: That in Maryland, we can look at challenge squarely in the face and refuse to blink.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
02-05-2025
- CBS News
Maryland's annual Fallen Heroes Day ceremony honors first responders who died in the line of duty
Maryland police, firefighters, emergency personnel and other first responders who have died in the line of duty will be honored during the 40th annual Fallen Heroes Day in Baltimore County. The ceremony, held at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, brings together all groups of the public safety community. Fallen Heroes Day is held each year on the first Friday in May. It provides an opportunity for the state to show its appreciation for first responders who risk their lives to protect citizens. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Maryland's Fallen Heroes ceremony On Friday morning, Gov. Wes Moore ordered that Maryland flags be lowered to half-staff to honor Fallen Heroes Day. "Our state is stronger because of the members of our military, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," the governor said. Friday's ceremony will start with a procession of honor guard units from across Maryland, motorcycle police and mounted units. The family members of those who died in the line of duty will attend the ceremony, organizers said. Maryland remembers first responders who died in the line of duty According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were 76 on-duty firefighter deaths reported between 1990 and 2024 in Maryland. So far in 2025, the agency reported one on-duty firefighter death in Maryland. Montgomery County Firefighter Christopher Higgins died after suffering a medical emergency while battling a fire in January. He will be honored at the ceremony. The Officer Down Memorial Page reported two police line-of-duty deaths in 2024, including a Cecil County Police sergeant and Parole Agent Davis Martinez. Both of them will also be honored during the Fallen Heroes ceremony. Agent Davis Martinez was killed in May 2024 while he was visiting the home of a convicted sex offender in Montgomery County. It was the first time that a parole agent died in the line of duty in Maryland. Davis Martinez's brother, Michael Martinez, told WJZ that Davis was everyone's cheerleader. Michael Martinez also said his brother felt like his job was not appreciated enough, but being named a fallen hero, he said, speaks for itself. A total of nine fallen heroes will be honored during the ceremony, including Baltimore Police Officer Daoud Mingo, who died in December 2023. Mingo was injured when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle that had turned into his path during a funeral escort in 2015. He continued to serve the department until his retirement in 2020. He died from complications related to his injuries. Howard County Firefighter Richard Blankenship, Jr., will also be honored. According to event organizers, Blankenship served for two decades before he died from occupational cancer. "As we mark the 40th anniversary of Fallen Heroes Day, we are humbled and grateful as we remember all of the brave and heroic first responders who have made the supreme sacrifice. They did their jobs with grace and determination so that we all could be safe and protected," said President of Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens Jack Mitchell.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Almost 1 year after Maryland parole agent's killing, younger brother remembers his ‘rock'
Maryland Parole & Probation Agent Davis Martinez and his younger brother, Michael, used to do everything together, from playing Super Nintendo while they were growing up, to traveling across the country as adults. Almost a year after Davis Martinez was killed on duty, prompting uproar over concerns in Maryland's parole office, Michael Martinez said life has been strange without his brother. 'Before, maybe [we were only] not talking for like, about a week' at most, Martinez said last week at the site where his brother is buried. 'But this, you know, just sitting down and realizing that it's almost been 11 months since my last conversation with him, it's kind of surreal.' Davis Martinez, 33, of Silver Spring, was found dead last May at the Chevy Chase home of a registered sex offender upon whom the parole agent had been conducting a check. The suspect, 55-year-old Emanuel Edward Sewell, was identified and arrested in West Virginia. His trial was canceled after he was found not mentally competent to stand trial last September. He awaits a competency hearing this coming September. Martinez will be remembered Friday at a statewide Fallen Heroes Day ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. Among the 11 other fallen Maryland fire and police officers being honored are Baltimore Police officer Daoud A. Mingo, who was critically injured a decade ago during a funeral procession and died of those injuries in 2023, and Christopher Higgins, a Montgomery County firefighter killed this January while battling a fire in Laurel. At Friday's ceremony in Timonium, Lt. Gov. Aruna K. Miller and Baltimore County Executive Katherine A. Klausmeier will deliver memorial addresses and Baltimore sportscaster Scott Garceau will deliver the keynote speech. Martinez's on-duty death prompted demands for better working conditions at the state's parole department, which was cited by Maryland workplace safety officials due to the agent's killing. AFSCME Council 3 leadership called on the state's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to implement safety procedures that the union said had long been 'ignored,' such as virtual office visits, increased staffing levels and access to mental health services. Baltimore County man sentenced to 50 years for Howard County road rage shooting Luigi Mangione case: Defense seeks to drop terrorism charge, suppress evidence Baltimore reports lowest monthly homicides in city's recorded history Man sentenced to life in prison for murder of Annapolis man Severna Park man accused of setting neighbors house on fire, officials say The union also beseeched Gov. Wes Moore's administration to fire Maryland's public safety and corrections head, Carolyn Scruggs, in the wake of Martinez's death. Moore's administration changed leadership at the parole office, though Moore did not ultimately replace her. Martinez's 'memory continues to guide our mission and our reforms,' Scruggs said in a statement. 'As we honor him on Fallen Heroes Day and mark one year since his passing, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting those who protect others.' She said that his death has had a 'profound and lasting impact on our entire agency' and 'underscores the real risks our agents face every day in service to the people of Maryland.' At work, Martinez 'served with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public safety,' Scruggs said in a statement. Earlier this year, Maryland lawmakers passed a bill, named the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act and advocated for by the union, aimed at strengthening protections for public sector workers. Whether they were playing the FIFA soccer video games, tasting whiskeys in Washington or on a lengthy trip together, Davis Martinez and his brother 'always leaned on one another,' Michael Martinez told The Baltimore Sun last week at the memorial site. 'There will be moments where I'm just like teetering, and you know, Davis was always sort of my rock, but I don't have that,' Michael Martinez said. 'And so now I gotta learn how to cope with everything that's kind of thrown in my way.' Davis Martinez had wanted a career in public safety, though he landed on parole and probation in part to avoid the risks associated with a typical police job. He had first looked into becoming a police officer, and though 'he was perfect for it' while interviewing, he was uncomfortable with the idea of needing to use deadly force against somebody, his brother said. 'I think one of the questions is, 'if you have to shoot somebody, will you do it?' And you know, Davis just balked at that question,' said his younger brother. He instead gravitated toward parole and probation, a field where he could use his criminal justice knowledge to help steer people in the right direction. 'He would help guide them through their situations … he really did care about them,' said Michael Martinez. 'He would have his clients call him, you know, he would help them find jobs … he was really involved.' Outside work, Davis Martinez was 'everything' to his brother: best friend, therapist, comedian, motivator. He would push his younger brother out of his comfort zone — their travels across the country and to Europe inspired his brother to solo travel more often. Davis was also 'huge health nerd' who worked out and did yoga. The siblings would also share the responsibility of taking care of their younger brother, who is autistic and nonverbal. With Davis gone, the house feels empty, his brother said. But his spirit lives on in some ways: Davis' girlfriend, Gypsy, whom he had only been dating for a few months is a part of the family now. And Michael Martinez now drives his brother's highlighter-yellow Jeep, which includes the countless plastic ducks received in his brother's memory. Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@ on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.
CBS News
28-04-2025
- CBS News
Slain Maryland parole agent to be honored at this year's Fallen Heroes Day ceremony
Even though it's been almost a year since Maryland parole agent Davis Martinez was killed, his brother continues to feel him around. Right before Michael Martinez, Davis Martinez's brother, interviewed with WJZ, a phone in the room rang. "That's just Davis," Michael Martinez said with a smile. "He's just messing with us." Davis Martinez will be one of the public safety personnel honored at the 40th annual Fallen Heroes Day observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens on Friday, May 2. Michael Martinez described what it's been like living without his brother and his best friend. On May 31, 2024, Davis Martinez died while making a home visit to Emanuel Edward Sewell, a convicted sex offender in Montgomery County. Sewell has since been charged and is awaiting trial for his death. Davis Martinez's death marked the first time a parole agent died in the line of duty in Maryland. Everyone's cheerleader Michael Martinez said Davis Martinez was often the trendsetter for him and their younger brother, Joseph Martinez. Davis Martinez was the first in the family to graduate from high school and college. "He had to be the person who set everything. He wants us not to mess around or fumble it," Michael Martinez said. Michael Martinez also credits his older brother for giving him the travel bug. The two traveled to four European countries in 2023, and their favorite ended up being Turkey. "He really pushed me to do things that I wouldn't consider," Michael Martinez said. Michael Martinez said his older brother is the reason he's made it this far in life. But Davis Martinez was also everyone's cheerleader. "There would be moments where I just sort of accepted the path I was gonna go, but Davis did not. He saw there was something within me," Michael Martinez said. Honoring his legacy Michael Martinez said it hasn't felt as though a year had passed since Davis Martinez's death. "It really does feel like it happened six months ago, or even less. It's just, since his passing, everything has gone 100 mph," Michael Martinez said. Ever since losing his older brother, though, Michael Martinez said his family has been receiving an outpouring of support from around the country. Support has especially come in the form of rubber ducks. Jeep ducking, as it's called, is a popular tradition among Jeep owners. Once it was known Davis Martinez owned one, many have been sending rubber ducks in his honor. Michael Martinez, who now owns his brother's jeep, said they'd come in by the boxload. Michael Martinez said his older brother sometimes didn't feel like his job was appreciated enough. But, with all of this support -- and the fact he's been named a fallen hero -- he thinks it speaks for itself. "Everybody does appreciate the type of job he does," Michael Martinez said. Michael Martinez said he's still traveling in his brother's honor, having returned to Europe earlier this year. He adds that he and his family are also leading healthy lives, as Davis Martinez would've wanted. "I've taken my mom to the gym with me, I continue to take my little brother to the gym with me. Davis, he was pretty much the first one to ring the alarm for us to do that," Michael Martinez said. When asked if, in a sense, his older brother is still taking care of him in a way, Michael Martinez said yes. "His advice just continues to ring true for us to this day," he said.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Workers' Memorial Day: Reflections and calls to action
Rayneika Robinson (center), president of AFSCME Local 3661, at a June 2024 rally after the death of Parole Agent Davis Martinez. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Almost a year ago, I received news that no one ever wants to hear — that my colleague Parole and Probation Agent Davis Martinez had been killed during a home visit. He was the first agent to be killed in the line of duty in Maryland. Brother Martinez was a beloved coworker, brother and son. He was an active member of his union, AFSCME Local 3661, which represents thousands of state employees who work in public safety and community corrections. For the last year, my fellow union members and I have been mourning his loss, and we are still deeply hurt and angry at the departmental and policy failures that led to this tragedy. Sadly, Brother Martinez was not alone. In 2024, our union also lost Brother Ronald Silver II and Brother Timothy Cartwell. They were both sanitation workers for Baltimore City's Department of Public Works, and both died from preventable incidents while on the job. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. We know there are dangers that come with our professions, but the glaring truth is that for too long, Maryland's public employers have failed to make the health and safety of their employees a priority. Public sector workers in Maryland consistently face more than double the rates of occupational injuries and illnesses of their private sector counterparts, 5.4 cases compared to 2.3 cases per 100 full-time workers, respectively. But for the first time, my fellow union members and I have some hope. This year, our union was successful in passing the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act, sponsored by Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery) and Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery). This legislation marks a critical turning point in our fight for safe and healthy workplaces. For years, Maryland law has failed to hold public sector employers accountable for violating workplace safety standards. While private sector employers can face financial penalties, public sector employers are simply given a slap on the wrist, even though our safety is entrusted to them from the moment we clock in. The Davis Martinez Act changes that. This important legislation will hold all public employers accountable for the safety of their workers and add in financial consequences for failing to protect employees. With the Davis Martinez Act, Maryland will now become only the third state in the nation — joining New York and California — to require a Workplace Violence Prevention standard that covers the entire public sector. On this Workers' Memorial Day, a day where we remember those who have lost their lives or been injured or made sick on the job, I can't help but reflect on the lives that could have been saved had our public sector employers been proactive in creating and enforcing policies and procedures to keep us safe on the job. In honor of the legacies of our fallen union brothers, it's up to us to make Maryland a state that truly values the lives, safety, and health of each and every worker. In honor of Brother Martinez, Brother Silver and Brother Cartwell, we expect every public sector employer to work collaboratively with us, the workers who keep Maryland running, to implement these key reforms in good faith, because everyone deserves to return home safely from work at the end of the day.
