Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Hosea Martin was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men who were transporting illegal alcohol.
Patrolman Martin had gone to the bridge over the Little River on the Greenville-Laurens Road to wait for the vehicle, which was was being followed by members of the Laurens County Rural Police. The vehicle stopped near the bridge and as Patrolman Martin approached the vehicle he was fatally shot.
The two men were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Patrolman Martin was a widower and was survived by his six children.
Survivors
Patrolman Martin was a widower and was survived by his six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-0E25A6E9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Martin served with the Laurens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Hosea Ocala Martin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In SC, 271 of 440 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.6% of this state's fallen. That is 61.6 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Laurens Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Hosea Ocala Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Hosea Ocala Martin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hosea Ocala Martin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hosea Ocala Martin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Laurens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
