Harry E. Martin

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — Sacramento, CA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch September 19, 1937

Age 41

The Vigil Panel 73 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 41

Incident

Officer Harry Martin and Warden Clarence Larkin were stabbed to death during a prison escape attempt at Folsom State Prison. Approximately 40 inmates had been waiting to talk to Warden Larkin concerning upcoming parole hearings when seven of the inmates suddenly attacked him. As they took him into the yard, other guards started firing. In the commotion that followed, Officer Martin and Warden Larkin were both stabbed to death. Officer Martin died at the scene, and Warden Larkin died of his wounds five days later. One of the seven inmates who attempted to escape was wanted for the murder of Officer James Hill of the Marlow, Oklahoma, Police Department on April 20th, 1931. Two of the escaping attempts were shot and killed during the incident. The remaining five were all sentenced to death and eventually executed. Two suspects, including the one who had murdered Officer Hill, were executed in the gas chamber on December 2nd, 1938. Two others were executed on December 9, 1938, and the leader of the group was executed on December 16th, 1938. Officer Martin was a WWI veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and father.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-A542BA82
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 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.
Officer Martin served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Thank you for your service to the people of California, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Location Sacramento, CA

Platform Identity cdcrcorr.sacramento.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 19, 1937

Age 41

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon

Offender Executed in 1938

Military Service

Harry E. Martin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Officer Harry E. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 30 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

of 42 officers

71.4% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious