Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Martin and a citizen were shot to death after being ambushed while returning to Rio Grande City after serving citations.
The two had been collecting taxes and were murdered in a robbery of the tax proceeds.
Sheriff Martin had served as sheriff for a total of 3-1/2 years over two different terms.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-1D4AD10D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Martin gave the Starr County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rio Grande City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John E. Martin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,460 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Starr 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. John E. Martin's cause is highlighted.
How John E. Martin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John E. Martin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John E. Martin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Starr County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
