Hartnell College awards posthumous degree to shooting victim
On Tuesday evening, a former Hartnell College student was given a special honor: He was awarded a degree after being shot and killed in Salinas.
Even the governing board members of the college could not hold back the tears remembering the life of Daniel Martinez.
“He made progress, he made enough progress toward that degree, and we have no problem awarding that degree to him. And I know how important that is to the family,” said Willard Lewallen, the president of Hartnell College.
The 37-year-old Martinez was shot and killed in a home on the 1200 block of Polk Street on Labor Day. But he had earned enough credits for an associate of arts degree in general studies from Hartnell College.
Faculty members took time to share their stories of Martinez. He was not a current student when he was killed, but at the school, he was remembered as a scholar in the Men’s Institute for Leadership and Education.
Martinez also worked with disabled students. Board member say it is unfortunate violence stopped such a bright future.
The college is planning a memorial for Martinez, a way to honor his legacy for future generations.
The school has invited the family to attend the graduation ceremony next year, where Martinez will be listed among the graduates. A suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with his death.
