A funeral motorcade - led by CHP motorcycle officers with their red lights flashing - is under way in Santa Barbara for deceased California Highway Patrol Officer Jarrod Martinez of Buellton.
Dozens of law-enforcement personnel, along with family members and friends, are making their way from the Earl Warren Showgrounds to the Courthouse Sunken Garden in Santa Barbara for the young officer's public funeral service.
Martinez, 30, died Thursday in a motorcycle accident in Los Olivos and law-enforcement officers and civilians will grieve together at a public memorial service at 1 p.m. today.
The funeral service, to be held behind the Santa Barbara courthouse at 1100 Anacapa St., could draw up to 1,000 people, a CHP spokesman said.
A private reception will follow from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.
Martinez was driving home on his 1998 Honda motorcycle after testifying in a traffic-court appearance in Santa Barbara, when he was thrown from his motorcycle after braking hard to avoid a collision in Los Olivos, according to the CHP.
He was then struck and dragged by the car his motorcycle almost collided with on Steele Street's at Foxen Canyon Road, the CHP said.
Martinez was riding his personal motorcycle, but was on duty when he died, according to the CHP.
Posted in Local on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:40 am Updated: 12:15 pm. | Tags: Chp, Funeral, Motorcade, Martinez,
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