William Martz
Trooper

William Martz

MI State Police — Lansing, MI
Accident
End of Watch March 12, 1925
Age 24
The Vigil Panel 48 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Martz was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer while guarding bank robbers at the Berrien County Jail. The other officer began to inspect his own revolver when it discharged and struck Trooper Martz. He succumbed to his injuries two days later.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Trooper Martz served with the Michigan State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Martz.

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

Agency

Department MI State Police
Type State Police
Location Lansing, Ingham County, MI
Platform Identity msp.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 12, 1925
Age 24
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

The Sacrifice · Accident

William is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% 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 1925, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

William was 24. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

MI State Police has 57 officers remembered here, William among them.

Across the years

Trooper William Martz

MI State Police · End of Watch March 12, 1925

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W

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