Roll of Honor

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Town Constable

Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin

Moweaqua Police Department — Moweaqua, IL

Felonious

End of Watch February 1, 1902

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 17 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Constable Benjamin Martin was shot and killed by a restaurant proprietor he was attempting to arrest on a warrant for illegally selling liquor.

When Constable Martin told the man he was under arrest, he replied, ''Come and get me.'' As he started around the counter to do so, the man raised a shotgun and fired both barrels, killing Constable Martin instantly.

The 40-year-old suspect was found guilty of Constable Martin's murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison on December 6, 1902. He died in prison on June 22, 1908.

Constable Martin's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 4-08-17 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan RPPD (IL) April 8th, 2017

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Constable Martin served with the Moweaqua Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Moweaqua community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Constable Martin.

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

Agency

Department Moweaqua Police Department

Location Moweaqua, IL

Platform Identity mpd.shelby.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 1, 1902

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Died in prison

Town Constable Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Moweaqua Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin is highlighted in Feb.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin A. "Ben" Martin was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518