Ruben Martinez Tribute

Dear Ruben, I think of you and the injustice on a regular basis. I saw the pictures of your mom and the tremendous sorrow in her face. I know she needlessly lost one of the most beautiful and precious people in her life. Everyone knows Officer Byrne was wrong regardless of what the courts decided. Even Officer Byrne knows he was wrong and he is faced with his brutal mistake everyday for the rest of his life and beyond. Most important God knows Officer Byrne was wrong and someday God will give you and your family peace and justice.

Yes, spread your wings Ruben. Be the guardian angel for your mother, father, brother, friends and family. I know you are always watching them and protecting them. I would not be surprised if you would protect Officer Byrne too.

praying for your family this morning at 5am.I don't know you but God woke me and led me to you on the internet.Forgiveness is the only way to peace. Boys, revenge won't make anything better. God bless you he cares enough for you to get me,a stranger, out of bed to pray for you all.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and memories. The outpouring of love from everyone has brough a bit of solace to me and the rest of my family. I know Rubin is looking down on all of us and he touched so many lives and will always. You are going to be missed and not a moment goes by that you aren't in my thoughts. Mark and Freddy are hurting inside and feel what happened is not fair or just. We will never forget the joy that your short life brought to all of us.

Your Dad and I are hurting so very much inside and no words can express what those two men did to you. They have brought so much pain to your whole family. I just cannot imagine the fear that you went through.

When you are ready spread your wings and come for me. I love you very much.

ruben. you left us way to early. nobody deserves what happened to you. i think about you and your family everyday and i cant imagine the pain they feel. i remember the first day i met you and you told me you were into cars and i mentioned that i bought a new headunit. and without hesitation, for knowing me a whole of 2 minutes, you offered to put it in for me and its still in my jeep. you never backed down on your word. you came over that weekend and helped me out and we took my doors off and went off roading and connected right away. in highschool even though we werent in any of the same classes we always managed to meet up and skip out for lunch and drive around in your acura. and you attempted to try to teach me how to drive stick, and we cracked up for hours because i just couldnt get it, but you didnt care that i kept stalling your car, you never gave up. the weekend before you died we all went out and it was so awesome seeing you, you were exactly the same. all you did the whole time was laugh and say how happy you were that we were all hanging out and that you missed us. i forgot about this but we both spilled drinks on eachother and you apologized a million times. im so gratfeul i got to see you that night. i remember our last conversation, you told me you were going to marks graduation and we said that wed see eachother there and said it was awesome seeing eachother. you were such a great person always laughing, and being goofy, so compassionate and caring. you never held a grudge and you never turned your back on anyone. you were a genuine, beautiful person. and you will always be missed and you will never ever ever be forgotten. i love you ruben. r.i.p.

Ruben - You have left behind so many that feel empty that they will no longer have the opportunity to just hang out and be a part of your life. It was a rare opportunity that we took for granted until you passed...and now its to late to say all the things that should have been shared with you while you were still here. This regret is a lesson learned to be grateful for all who touch your life in the way that you've touched others and don't be ashamed to let them know...before its to late! Tomorrow is not promised to anyone of us and you are the poster child for that! Forever Peace for you my friend!!!

no matter how long it takes... no matter the days, hours, minutes, seconds, this will not be forgotten as you will not be forgotten by your family,your friends, and us the people who did not know you. Ruben you are an angel now spread your wings and fly be free of pain be free of hate and shine down on us when we need you the most.