Roll of Honor
William T. Martin
Incident
Police Officer William Martin died as a result of injuries he sustained 30-years earlier when he was assaulted while on duty.
At 2:25 am, Officer Martin was on patrol at the Second Avenue IND subway station when he observed a man sleeping in the station and woke him up. The man then attacked Officer Martin, and during a struggle he was able to gain control of Officer Martin's nightstick. The man struck Officer Martin several times in the head with the nightstick, knocking him the ground. The man then kicked Officer Martin several times before fleeing the location.
The subject was arrested the next morning by police and charged with assault. He was later convicted and sentenced to prison.
Officer Martin was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he remained in a coma for several weeks. He spent the next ten years in a head trauma center receiving treatment for his injuries. Officer Martin spent the remainder of his life in and out of hospitals and nursing homes, receiving around the clock care while fighting to recover from his injuries. He died on April 9th, 2011, as a direct result of the injuries received when he was assaulted.
Officer Martin served with the New York City Transit Authority Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to Transit District 4.
At 2:25 am, Officer Martin was on patrol at the Second Avenue IND subway station when he observed a man sleeping in the station and woke him up. The man then attacked Officer Martin, and during a struggle he was able to gain control of Officer Martin's nightstick. The man struck Officer Martin several times in the head with the nightstick, knocking him the ground. The man then kicked Officer Martin several times before fleeing the location.
The subject was arrested the next morning by police and charged with assault. He was later convicted and sentenced to prison.
Officer Martin was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he remained in a coma for several weeks. He spent the next ten years in a head trauma center receiving treatment for his injuries. Officer Martin spent the remainder of his life in and out of hospitals and nursing homes, receiving around the clock care while fighting to recover from his injuries. He died on April 9th, 2011, as a direct result of the injuries received when he was assaulted.
Officer Martin served with the New York City Transit Authority Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to Transit District 4.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-E55A4693- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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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.
Police Officer Martin gave the New York City Transit Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William T. Martin served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer William T. 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New York City Transit Police Department, 11 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William T. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How William T. Martin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William T. Martin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William T. Martin was killed by officer's nightstick.
Incident Location
Military Service
William T. Martin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William T. Martin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York City Transit Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
