Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Gregory Martin was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-77, near exit 82, at 2:42 am. Sergeant Martin was working a solo midnight shift as another officer had the day off. He was on his way to the Elkin Police Department when he spotted a suspicious man standing behind a strip mall on Highway 67. Investigators believe Sergeant Martin then followed this person to his vehicle and followed the vehicle onto the interstate. Just before making the stop he notified dispatchers that he would be out with the subject. Upon hearing the dispatch, a nearby North Carolina state trooper offered to assist Sergeant Martin, who responded, "I'm going to need some assistance." When the state trooper reached Sergeant Martin's location he found him lying on the side of the road. He had been shot in the head multiple times at close range. The subject had fled the scene after stealing a van from a nearby location. The case remained unsolved until October 3rd, 2012, when a suspect was arrested in Lee County, Florida, and charged with Sergeant Martin's murder. Two additional suspects were arrested in January 2013 and charged with first degree murder. All three subjects were also charged with attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and possession of stolen goods. In March of 2014 the 38-year-old shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. On June 4th, 2014, his two accomplices were convicted of second degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and conspiracy. One was sentenced to 14 to 17 years in prison and the other was sentenced to 10 to 12 years. The subject who was sentenced to life died in prison on April 19th, 2016. Sergeant Martin had served with the Jonesville Police Department for three years. He is survived by his wife and three children. The North Carolina Department of Transportation dedicated a bridge near Jonesville on I-77 as Gregory Martin Memorial Bridge in memory of Sergeant Martin.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-D7BC6233- 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.
Patrol Sergeant Martin gave the Jonesville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jonesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Sergeant Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Sergeant Gregory Keith 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gregory Keith Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Gregory Keith Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gregory Keith Martin is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gregory Keith Martin was killed by handgun.