Nelson Martinez-Mendez

How they died

Deadly force

Officer Mike Hetle drove up to Martinez' apartment complex and a 911 call from a 26-year-old woman who reported that Martinez had threatened her with a knife. Martinez had left the apartment and was attempting to drive out of the complex in his blue Chevrolet Corsica. Hetle turned on his emergency lights and turned his cruiser sideways to block the Corsica from leaving, and the two cars collided. Police say that Officer Hetle ordered Martinez (in Spanish and English) to get out of the car and put his hands in the air. According to the official report, Martinez did not get out of the car, and reached for something in his waistband, at which point Officer Hetle shot him twice. A knife was found on the front passenger seat in Martinez' car, under some clothes.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Nelson Martinez-Mendez, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources