Chief of Police

Martin J. Ford

Felonious
End of Watch August 24, 1924
The Vigil Panel 47 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Chief Ford was shot and killed while he and his son chased the suspect wanted for murdering Patrolman Thomas Thornton earlier in the day. Chief Ford and his son exchanged shots with the suspect as he attempted to swim across the Chocalay River to escape. Both Chief Ford and his son were killed. The suspect was shot and killed by another officer.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Ford served with the Marquette City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marquette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ford.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Marquette, Marquette County, MI
Platform Identity mpd.marquette.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 24, 1924
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Martin is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.

33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Marquette City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Martin among them.

Chief of Police Martin J. Ford

Marquette City Police Department · End of Watch August 24, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Marquette City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

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