Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Johnny L. Martin was shot and killed while off duty after a neighbor caught a man breaking into vehicles near 3228 North Wilton Avenue. The suspect was known to area residents as a thief who frequently broke into cars. The neighbor caught him and told him he was going to call the police. Knowing that Officer Martin was a police officer, the neighbor went to his home and notified him. As Officer Martin and the neighbor spoke on the sidewalk, the man returned to the scene riding a bicycle. He had gone home and retrieved a .32 caliber handgun. He rode up to Officer Martin and shot him in the chest at close range, fatally wounding him. Despite the wound, Officer Martin returned fire with his off-duty weapon as the man rode away. The subject was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He was released on parole in 2007. Officer Martin had served with the Chicago Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, five sisters, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-BBE212E1- 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.
Police Officer Martin gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Johnny L. 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%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Johnny L. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Johnny L. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled after 17 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Johnny L. Martin is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Johnny L. Martin was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
