Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Martin was shot and killed as he and a U.S. Deputy Marshal went to the suspects ranch to ensure he was moving out as he had been ordered to do by the court. As they entered the property Sheriff Martin called the suspect out. The suspect ran into barn and Sheriff Martin gave chase. When Sheriff Martin entered the barn he was shot and killed by the suspect. The suspect was arrest and convicted of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, but escaped after serving five years. He returned to his home where he was later shot and killed by officers. Sheriff Martin's son, Clarence Martin, later went on to become the police chief of the Las Animas, Colorado, Police Department. On April 20, 1947, Chief Martin was killed after being punched in the chest when he responded to a fight at a local bar.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A76823E6- 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.
Sheriff Martin gave the Hansford County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spearman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Robert Eli 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Eli Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Eli Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed after escaping prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Eli Martin is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Eli Martin was killed by gun; unknown type.