Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Martin Roth succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier when he was assaulted by a subject he was attempting to arrest for being drunk in public near the foot of Clay Street, near the Ohio River.
During the arrest the subject struck Patrolman Roth in the head with a rock, causing severe lacerations. Patrolman Roth developed tetanus as a result of the wounds and died on October 29th, 1877.
The subject who murdered him was acquitted of manslaughter.
Rest in peace and olav hashalom Patrolman Roth.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis October 29th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-C3D98D5C- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Roth served with the Louisville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Martin Roth 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 Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Martin Roth's cause is highlighted.
How Martin Roth Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin Roth is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin Roth was killed by blunt object; rock.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
