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Gerald L. Martin
Incident
Reserve Deputy Gerald Martin was struck and killed by a race car while working a security detail at the Twin Cities Speedway near Vernon. While Reserve Deputy Martin was speaking with a subject regarding an argument with two others at the track, he was struck from behind by a race car. The race car's accelerator apparently stuck when coming around the outside turn of the track. This caused its driver to lose control and the vehicle went over the curve, end over end, before striking all four individuals. Reserve Deputy Martin died a short time later at Jennings Community Hospital from his injuries that also killed the subject he was speaking with.
Reserve Deputy Martin had served with the Jennings County Sheriff's Department for five years and was a dispatcher with the North Vernon Police Department. He was also a US Air Force veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors
Reserve Deputy Martin was survived by a son, three daughters, parents, brother and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Gerald is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Martin gave the Jennings County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the North Vernon community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gerald L. Martin served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gerald is the only officer of Jennings County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Gerald is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gerald was 51. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Gerald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Gerald was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gerald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerald was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gerald had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jennings County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Military Service
Gerald L. Martin served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gerald L. Martin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jennings County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.