Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Slim Martin was beaten to death in Cool Ridge, West Virginia, with a hammer and his own pistol by two men he had just arrested. He stopped for dinner with the suspects at about 6:00 pm. At some point after dinner, one of the suspects struck him in the back of the head with a machinist's hammer, and a fight ensued. The other suspect seized his gun and beat him with it. They dragged his body into the woods and took his patrol car. They were involved in a crash a short time later and fled the area on foot. They were apprehended two days later. Both suspects were sentenced to life in prison but were paroled in 1954. Deputy Martin was a United States Army WWI veteran who had served with the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office for at least a year. He had previously served with the West Virginia State Police for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-85E6DA0F- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Leamon. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Martin gave the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Beckley community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Leamon "Slim" Martin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Leamon "Slim" 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Raleigh 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. Leamon "Slim" Martin's cause is highlighted.
How Leamon "Slim" Martin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leamon "Slim" Martin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leamon "Slim" Martin was killed by blunt object; hammer.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Raleigh County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
