Roll of Honor
John C. Martin
Incident
Conservation Officer John Martin was shot and killed while investigating out-of-season squirrel hunting along the Old Morgantown Road in Warren County, 12 miles west of Bowling Green. The man who shot Officer Martin was arrested approximately two hours later. The man's brother was also arrested at a later date and charged as an accomplice. The shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was granted a new trial that ended with a hung jury. A third trial also ended with a hung jury. The murder charge was dismissed in 1951. Officer Martin was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He had served as a state conservation officer for only four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-5C8DBBC2- 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.
Conservation Officer Martin served with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John C. Martin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Conservation Officer John C. 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Charges dismissed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Martin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Martin was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
