Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Martin succumbed to injuries he received when he was shot in the head on February 15, 1886. Patrolman Martin was patrolling the north end of Kansas City at 2:30 a.m. when he encountered a few subjects making a disturbance. Once the subjects reached the corner of Fourth Street and Wyandotte, Patrolman Martin confronted the men about the noise. One of the subjects produced a revolver and shot him in the mouth and the back of his head. Another nearby officer arrested the suspect. The suspect, 24, was convicted of assault with intent to kill and sentenced to 10 years. He was released on October 5, 1893, and arrested two weeks later. Patrolman Martin suffered the effects of the bullet wounds and was unable to work, dying over six years later.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, his mother, five brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A5496D7A- 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
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Martin served with the Kansas City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas City Police Department, 72 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Martin's cause is highlighted.
How John Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1893
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Martin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Martin was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
119 officers from Kansas City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
