Nelson Oliveira
New York Daily News
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — An off-duty Texas cop working on a side job at an IHOP restaurant was killed Saturday after trying to break up a fight among several patrons, one of whom intentionally ran over the officer, pinning him under the car before driving away, authorities said.
Detective Cliff Martinez was a 28-year veteran of the San Antonio Independent School District Police Department, which described him as a “highly respected member” of the agency.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” the department said in a Facebook post.
He was working as an overnight security guard at a San Antonio IHOP when a group of people began fighting inside the building shortly before 4 a.m., according to local NBC affiliate News 4.
Authorities said the fight escalated and moved to the parking lot, where Martinez was attacked and struck by a car driven by one of the assailants. He was also pinned underneath the vehicle before he was pronounced dead at the scene, police told the station.
Later on Saturday, police arrested a suspect, identified as Jorge Lopez, and charged him with capital murder, the San Antonio Express-News reported.
The Facebook post by the school district’s police department quickly went viral, with hundreds of shares and comments, including many from people who knew Martinez.
“Our SAISD family has suffered an immense loss,” Facebook user Nicole Orozco wrote. “Cliff was one of a kind, always protecting students and staff. Sending my condolences to his family. RIP dear friend.”
“This is truly devastating news,” Hilda Salas wrote. “Working with Cliff was such an honor... He was well liked by all. He was everyone’s friend.”