Roll of Honor
Donald R. Martin
Incident
Correctional Officer Donald Martin died as a result of an attack by an inmate at the Kansas State Penitentiary. The suspect had taken a female hostage during an escape attempt. On August 14th, an inmate at the Kansas State Penitentiary attempted an escape through the infirmary. During the escape attempt the inmate attacked the nurse on duty and then beat Officer Martin with a metal chair, crushing his skull. Officer Martin was rushed to Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City where he died of the injuries five days later. The inmate was charged with first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and attempted rape, but accepted a plea deal that dropped the attempted rape charge. He was sentenced to 30 years to life and remained in the prison system until his death on July 28, 2007. Officer Martin was a veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Kansas Department of Corrections for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-771DD048- 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 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.
Correctional Officer Martin gave the Kansas Department of Corrections 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kansas, and 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
Donald R. Martin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Correctional Officer Donald R. 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas Department of Corrections, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald R. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Donald R. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
30 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald R. Martin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald R. Martin was killed by person.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Kansas Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
