Prev
Martin Sprouse
Incident
Captain Martin Sprouse died as a result of complications from influenza while performing his assigned duties during the Influenza Pandemic.
The Asheville Police Department had been tasked with enforcing local health laws to help prevent the spread of influenza, as well as performing their regular police duties.
Captain Sprouse served with the Asheville Police Department for 15 years.
The 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Captain Martin Sprouse died on January 21, 1919 of influenza contracted in the line of duty. He was 41.
He is one of 201 officers honored here.
The influenza pandemic of 1918 killed more people worldwide than the war that preceded it. Police officers worked it without vaccines, without antibiotics, and often without masks, enforcing quarantines, transporting the sick, and standing posts in cities where the dead outpaced the undertakers.
They caught it doing the job. There was no treatment to give them.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq6vgqa4ha2nc97e94w3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Martin. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Martin is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
No vaccine, no antibiotics, and you stood the post anyway.
Captain Sprouse gave the Asheville Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Asheville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sprouse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Asheville Police Department has lost 9 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Martin is one of 37 officers lost to illness in NC, 5.6% of the 664 remembered there.
Martin is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Martin is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 1 officer in NC was lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 19.
In 1919, 32 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 11th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1919, 38 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 10th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Martin was 41. Of the 37 lost to illness in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 57; the middle age was 50. Martin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Martin was 41. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Martin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Martin was 41. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Martin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 8.1% of these deaths in NC; October holds the most, 29.7%. Tuesdays: 8.1%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 11.1% of all 9 deaths at Asheville Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.6% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Asheville Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Martin among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Asheville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
