Off-Duty Officer Killed Outside San Antonio IHOP, Suspect Charged

SAN ANTONIO, TX — An off-duty police officer is dead after he was fatally run over by a car in the parking lot of an IHOP. Detective Cliff Martinez, who works as a school officer for the San Antonio Independent School District was working security at the restaurant in the 700 block of Hot Wells Bouleard when the incident took place, according to multiple reports.

According to police, a fight broke out inside the restaurant and moved outside after 3 a.m. Saturday. Martinez followed the fight outside and was assaulted by two men who then got into a car and ran him over. Paramedics pronounced Martinez dead at the scene, KSAT reported.

"He was a highly-respected member of the SAISD Police Department, who worked for the department for 28 years. He will be greatly missed," SAISD said. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

Jorge Lopez, 23, was identified as the driver and charged with capital murder, San Antonio police said at a press conference Saturday. He and another suspect took off running on foot after pinning the officer underneath, but witnesses told officers where headed and he was taken into custody without further incident, according to KENS.

San Antonio ISD is deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Detective Cliff Martinez early this morning, while working off-duty at an I-HOP. He was a highly-respected member of the SAISD Police Department, who worked for the department for 28 years. He will be greatly missed.
— SAISD (@SAISD) December 21, 2019

Here is a look at Jorge Lopez, 23. A spokesman with SAPD said that Lopez will be charged with capital murder. He is accused of assaulting and running over off-duty SAISD Detective Cliff Martinez. pic.twitter.com/1fhg4hv9HP
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) December 21, 2019