Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Ford was shot and killed while he and his son chased the suspect wanted for murdering Patrolman Thomas Thornton earlier in the day. Chief Ford and his son exchanged shots with the suspect as he attempted to swim across the Chocalay River to escape. Both Chief Ford and his son were killed. The suspect was shot and killed by another officer.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F02AC3F7- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Ford served with the Marquette City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Marquette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Ford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Martin J. Ford 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Marquette City 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. Martin J. Ford's cause is highlighted.
How Martin J. Ford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin J. Ford is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin J. Ford was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marquette City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
