Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant William Martin was shot and killed, and another officer with him was wounded during a gun battle with three men they were pursuing in a stolen automobile. Lieutenant Martin's partner shot and killed one suspect, and the other two were apprehended. It was discovered the trio were wanted in Kansas for the murder of three police officers: Patrolman C. Leroy Damron, of the Bonner Springs Police Department, shot and killed on August 23, 1922, and Sergeant Elmer C. Biggs and Patrolman Fred C. Wheeler, of the Kansas City Police Department, shot and killed September 1, 1922. Both suspects, ages 24 and 25, were convicted of Lieutenant Martin's murder and sentenced to life. On November 27, 1940, Governor John W. Bricker commuted the conviction of one suspect from first-degree murder to second-degree murder so he could apply for parole. Lieutenant Martin had served with the Toledo Police Department for 22 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-034B6FE0- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Martin gave the Toledo Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Toledo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Toledo Police Dept., 25 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Martin is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Martin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Toledo Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
