Austin Mayor Steve Adler appeared to fall asleep at an APD officer's funeral on Monday.
JERRY LARA / San Antonio Express-News
MySA
Chris O'Connell
Austin Mayor Steve Adler has come under fire for appearing to fall asleep during the memorial service for Austin police officer Anthony Martin on Monday, October 3. The officer died on the morning of September 23 from
injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash as he returned home from a night shift.
Austin police officer Justin Berry posted the photo of a sleeping Adler on Twitter, writing: "You have time and time again shown nothing but contempt and utmost disrespect towards the men and women of the Austin Police Department but also our families."
If you're going to defund and destroy a police department as their mayor then attend a highly respected officer's funeral, perhaps do not continue to disrespect that officer's family, friends, and other officers by falling asleep. pic.twitter.com/YDZglVzyIM
— Justin Berry (@realJustinBerry) October 3, 2022
Berry, one of 19 APD officers indicted earlier this year for using excessive force during the protests following the killing of George Floyd, was named to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement by Governor Greg Abbott in August.
After Berry's photo circulated, Adler provided a statement to the Austin American-Statesman, expressing regret for falling asleep.
"I want to express my deepest apologies to the family of Officer Martin," he wrote. "This moment should be about him and his family, including his two daughters whose words today pierced my heart as a father. I hold Officer Martin in the highest regard. May his memory be a blessing to his family, and to the city he served."
Amberlee Martin, the officer's widow, released a statement via the Austin Police Association, who referred to Adler's "disrespectful behavior" in a tweet on Tuesday morning, October 4.
Statement by Amberlee Martin, on @MayorAdler's disrespectful behavior during Officer Martin's Memorial Service. We ask for your continued thoughts & prayers for the Martin family. Internment today @ 1PM at Texas State Veterans Cemetery (w/Military Honors) Abilene @Austin_Police pic.twitter.com/Sc5MHk9sPN
— Austin Police Association (@ATXPOA) October 4, 2022
Martin wrote that Adler's actions left her "crushed," pondering at which point during the memorial service that he "felt comfort in sleep." Martin notes the irony in Adler sleeping during the service, as her husband can no longer sleep next to her.
"I know he doesn't mean anything to you but could you have at least pretended for just one hour. [sic]" the statement concludes.
MySA has reached out to Adler's office for further comment.