Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin was struck and killed while deploying spike strips in an attempt to stop the pursuit of a stolen vehicle on Highway 200 at 5:35 p.m.
Authorities were notified of a stolen vehicle that crashed through the door of an ambulance bay from Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck. When Mercer County deputies located the SUV in Hazen, the driver fled, and a pursuit began. Five miles west of Hazen, the driver crashed into a Mercer County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated. The impact propelled the patrol vehicle into Deputy Martin, who was deploying stop sticks.
The subject was apprehended at the crash scene. He pleaded guilty to felony homicide and was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Deputy Martin had served with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ND-2389F157- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Martin gave the Mercer County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stanton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Paul 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 ND, 39 of 61 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mercer County Sheriff's Office, 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. Paul Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 28 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Martin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Martin was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mercer County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
