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Clifton John Martinez
Incident
Detective Cliff Martinez was intentionally struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle after he broke up a fight at an IHOP restaurant at 739 Hot Wells Boulevard at about 3:00 am.
He was working secondary employment at the restaurant when a fight broke out between several patrons. Detective Martinez was able to move the subjects out of the restaurant and into the parking lot when he was attacked by at least two people and knocked to the ground. While he was still on the ground, the subjects entered a car and intentionally ran over him, pinning him under the vehicle. They then fled on foot and remain at large.
One of the subjects was arrested approximately 12 hours later and charged with murder. The driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years. The suspect who pushed him on the ground pleaded guilty to assault of a peace officer causing bodily injury and was sentenced to 15 years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Martinez gave the San Antonio Independent School District Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Martinez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Clifton is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clifton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2019, 9 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clifton was 50. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Clifton had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Clifton was 50. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Clifton had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clifton was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clifton had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at San Antonio Independent School District Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Clifton among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Antonio Independent School District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
