Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Martin was shot and killed in an ambush in a sandpit near the Saluda River, three miles from Marietta, South Carolina. The suspect had his wife lure Deputy Martin to the sandpit on the pretext of a rock-throwing incident. When Deputy Martin arrived the suspect shot him six times with an M-1 carbine, killing him. The suspects dumped his body just inside Pickens County in a wooded area on Hendrix Bridge Road. He was found the next day by berry pickers. His gun, badge, and shirt were missing. The murder investigation would later reveal that the suspect killed him because he wanted his gun and badge. The suspect was arrested in Gate City, Virginia, two days later. His wife, 23, was arrested in Greenville and charged with accessory to murder. The 24-year-old man was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-E6B805DC- 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 served with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Greenville 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 John P. 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Greenville County Sheriff's Office, 14 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 82.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John P. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How John P. Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. Martin is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. Martin was killed by rifle; m-1.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Greenville County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
