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Community, Colleagues Mourn Fallen CHP Officer
Hundreds of community members and public safety officers attended a memorial service for fallen California Highway Patrol Officer Jarrod John Martinez on Wednesday at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Garden.
Martinez was on-duty last Thursday when he died after a car collided with his motorcycle. Martinez, who was on his way home to Buellton from traffic court, was driving on Foxen Canyon Road in Los Olivos when a driver turned into his lane, ejecting the officer from his bike. He died at the scene.
Chief Adam Cuevas, commander of CHP’s Coastal Division, said Martinez got out of traffic court a few minutes early and went to see his mother while waiting for another officer to finish his court time.
“What a thoughtful son,” he said. “Little did they realize that was the last time they’d see each other.”
Although Martinez was just two days short of his one-year anniversary with the CHP, Cuevas said his time with the agency was treasured.
“I believe it’s safe to say Jarrod touched all of us in a special way,” Cuevas said. “We miss you, and we will never forget you.”
Martinez is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their 4-year-old daughter, Julia. His mother and father, June and Rudy Martinez, and sister Jessica also attended Wednesday’s service. The courthouse location was chosen by Martinez’s wife because it’s where they exchanged their wedding vows.
Officer James Studebaker, one of Martinez’s friends and academy classmates, said “he was the epitome of someone who lives life to the fullest.”
The pair worked the graveyard shift together, as new recruits just trying to learn the ropes.
“We spent a lot of long hours together, learning from each other, sometimes just trying to figure out what we were doing,” he said. “I’ll forever cherish the time we spent together as two new officers, just trying to help each other find our way through the dark.”
Capt. Jeff Sgobba, Martinez’s commander, also spoke after singing a moving rendition of Amazing Grace while playing his guitar.
Sgobba recounted how Martinez had taken a cut in pay as an auto mechanic to go to work for the CHP and joined the academy last April.
Martinez was a San Marcos High School graduate who already knew most of the roadways and landmarks, and Sgobba likened the office receiving Martinez as a recruit to “winning the jackpot.”
He was also praised by the District Attorney’s Office on his first fatal collision investigation, which resulted in a 21-year sentence.
At just 30 years old, Martinez showed endless potential, Sgobba said. “We as a squad and as a community ache from his loss,” he said.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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» on 11.04.09 @ 10:23 PM
You will always be missed. You may be gone from us, but you will never be forgotten. Thoughts and prayers with the family and the California Highway Patrol.
The Central Coast and the State of California along with the families involved have lost a great officer, who left behind a great family. This is a day that will never be forgotten.
» on 11.04.09 @ 11:07 PM
Now you can peacefully walk the streets of heaven. For your job here on earth is complete. Your CHP Brothers will never forget you by providing the highest level of safety, service and security. May your God shine on your grave and give your family the strength they will need to live on. One favor Brother, keep the streets of heaven safe, for we will be reunited eventually, but not now!
» on 11.05.09 @ 06:20 AM
Jarrod it’s difficult to let it all settle down in my mind and heart. Seeing everyone yesterday reminded me of the difficult and treacherous road the academy was. We made it though and I can only imagine the sense of pride your wife and family felt. Seeing the picture of you and your wife and daughter made it very difficult to find justification for our loss. I pray for your wife and daughter. You took upon a difficult task, a God ordained job that required sacrifice and devotion to duty and you never swerved from it. I certainly will never forget you. The loss was felt throughout the state. Patricia and Julia know that we will forever be indebted to you. Everytime you see a CHP Officer, remember we represent the best Jarrod had to offer. We, I am here for you.
» on 11.05.09 @ 07:53 PM
Does anyone have an email address for Patricia? I was hoping to send her a personal note of condolence.
» on 11.06.09 @ 09:19 PM
From what the Santa Maria Times said, the sportscar never hit the motorbike. Victim went over handle bars into traffic. I am suspicious of CHP doing investigation of CHP crash.
» on 11.07.09 @ 04:24 PM
To Gary Perris: Your suspicion of CHP has no basis when actual news report video by KCOY 12 show damage to the Porsche involved in the accident. Image speaks for itself.
It’s never a good idea to rely on one source…do a full, complete research of facts reported in the media before speculating and implying CHP is anything but a department of integrity.
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