AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Mayor Steve Adler is under fire after a viral photo on social media accused him of falling asleep at the funeral service for a fallen Austin Police officer on Monday.
The photo, posted by APD officer Justin Berry, shows Adler with his eyes closed and his head tucked to his chest during the memorial service for senior police officer Anthony "Tony" Martin.
Adler was seen sitting next to other city staffers, including assistant city manager Ray Arellano.
In a written statement, Adler apologized to the Martin family. "Officer Martin died 10 days ago and will forever be honored as a hero," said Adler. "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."
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Austin Police Association President Thomas Villarreal reacted to the photo. "Today's memorial was a time to honor and pay respect to Officer Tony Martin and his family," the statement read. "Unfortunately, the mayor's actions distract from those underlying reasons for the memorial service. I have expressed my frustration directly to Steve and will deal with that issue at a later time. For now, I ask everyone to please keep Tony’s family in your prayers."
Amberlee Martin also issued a statement Tuesday morning through the Austin Police Association. "I know he doesn't mean anything to you but could you have at least pretended for just one hour," Martin wrote.
The relationship between Adler and other members of the City Council and law enforcement has been strained in recent years, as the department has faced budget cuts and staffing issues stemming from the cancellation of three cadet classes in 2020, in the wake of George Floyd's death and a local effort to "reimagine" the department's training curriculum.
Martin will be laid to rest Tuesday afternoon at the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery in Abilene.