Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Tom Martin was shot and killed while assisting the Lincoln County sheriff serve an arrest warrant in Logantown. The man named on the warrant was charged with stealing chickens from a farmer in Garrand County.
When Chief Martin and the sheriff arrived at the suspect's home they encountered him outside and told him of the warrant. When the man tried to go into his house the officers stopped him. The man suddenly pulled out a revolver and opened fire, striking Chief Martin three times and the sheriff twice. Despite being severely wounded, Chief Martin was able to return fire after he fell to the ground, killing the subject. The sheriff had gone to the home unarmed.
Despite being wounded himself, the sheriff was able to drive Chief Martin to the hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds the following morning.
Chief Martin had served as chief of the Stanford Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, three daughter, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-E17A63AF- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Martin gave the Stanford Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Stanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Thomas D. 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 Stanford Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas D. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas D. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas D. Martin is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas D. Martin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stanford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
