Yobanie Martinez, who realized his dream of becoming a police officer a few years ago, has died at age 32, seven months after being diagnosed with cancer. 

The Santa Maria man who worked for the Lompoc Police Department died Thursday night with family and colleagues at his side.

On Tuesday, a procession of law enforcement vehicles from multiple agencies escorted Martinez and his family from French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo to his home in Santa Maria.

Another large presence was noted Thursday at Marian Regional Medical Center.

On Friday afternoon, Lompoc police remembered Martinez. 

“Yobanie was more than a fellow officer. He was a valued member of our Lompoc Police Department family, and his loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him,” the LPD posted on social media accounts.

Martinez was remembered as a hard worker who showed up without complaint if called to help out. 

“He was just passionate about serving the community,” Lompoc Police Chief Kevin Martin said Friday. “I wish I had 50 more of him, honestly. He was taken too soon, but he accomplished his goal — he became a police officer.”

Family members said Martinez has talked about becoming a police officer since elementary school.

Before making his dream come true, Martinez had worked as a Santa Maria-Bonita School District custodian for roughly eight years. 

However, he realized his dream of becoming a police officer, graduating from the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Academy in June 2024 and getting hired by the Lompoc Police force.

He worked a patrol officer, but his colleagues were already eyeing him for special duties such as the SWAT team, the chief said.

“He was very good at what he did,” Martin added. 

At a recent event honoring LPD members’ 2025 achievements, Martinez was among five officers recognized with the department’s Above and Beyond Life Saving Award.

In early April, Martinez began experiencing ongoing health complications that led to extensive testing and medical evaluations. Doctors later discovered a cancerous tumor in his stomach. 

“Since then, Yobanie has been courageously battling this disease while facing additional testing, surgeries and chemotherapy treatments in the months ahead,”  LPD said on social media earlier this year. 

Survivors include his wife and four young children.

The Lompoc Police Officers Association is accepting donations via a Venmo account: https://www.venmo.com/u/LompocPOA, with 100% of all contributions going directly toward the services and supporting his family.