Clifton John Martinez
Agency patch
Detective

Clifton John Martinez

Felonious
End of Watch December 21, 2019
Age 50
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
The Vigil Panel 170 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Cliff Martinez was intentionally struck and killed by a vehicle after he broke up a fight at an IHOP restaurant at 739 Hot Wells Boulevard at about 3:00 am.

He was working secondary employment at the restaurant when the fight broke out between several patrons. Detective Martinez was able to move the subjects out of the restaurant and into the parking lot when he was attacked by at least two people and knocked to the ground. While he was still on the ground the subjects entered a car and intentionally ran over him, pinning him under the vehicle. They then fled on foot and remain at large.

One of the subjects was arrested approximately 12 hours later and charged with murder.

Detective Martinez had served with the San Antonio Independent School District Police Department for 28 years and had previously served with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thomas H. Kelly Jr., ASAC Federal Air Marshal Service February 6th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-69B39E69
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

28 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Martinez gave the San Antonio Independent School District Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the San Antonio community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Martinez.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location San Antonio, TX
Platform Identity saisdpd.bexar.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 21, 2019
Tour of Duty 28 yrs
Age 50
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile
Offender Charged with murder

Detective Clifton John Martinez 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Antonio Independent School District Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
1
of 2 officers
50% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,463
of 2,421 officers
60.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clifton John Martinez's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Clifton John Martinez Compares

Age at End of Watch
50
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Charged with murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clifton John Martinez is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clifton John Martinez was killed by automobile.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from San Antonio Independent School District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.