William J. Martin

Baltimore Police Dept. — Baltimore, MD

Felonious

End of Watch October 10, 1989

Age 37

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Badge 2025

The Vigil Panel 135 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 150

Incident

Police Officer William Martin was shot and killed after he and two other officers responded to a report of drug dealing at an apartment building on the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. Officer Martin entered the front door and the other two officers went to cover the rear of the building. As Officer Martin walked up the stairs the suspect ambushed him and shot him in the head. The other officers were able to return fire and wounded the suspect before taking him into custody. The man was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. Officer Martin succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Officer Martin had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MD-DC139F53
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Martin gave the Baltimore City Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Martin.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Baltimore Police Dept.

Location Baltimore, MD

Platform Identity baltpd.baltimore.md.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 10, 1989

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 37

Badge Number 2025

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to life

Police Officer William J. 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Baltimore Police Dept., 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.

Baltimore Police Dept.

of 151 officers

53% Felonious

MD — Statewide

195

of 377 officers

51.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious