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Incident
Chief of Police Posey Martin was stabbed in the neck and another officer was stabbed and seriously injured by a prisoner who was armed with a screwdriver. They were in the process of releasing another prisoner from the town jail when they were attacked. Chief Martin bled to death on the jail floor after being stabbed. The two prisoners were relatives and both ran from the jail after the attack. Since his release papers had hot been completed he was designated an escapee. He was found a few hours later shot to death on the front porch of a Galax home. Five days later three Galax police officers apprehended Chief Martin's killer near Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The suspect was convicted of Chief Martin's murder and sentenced to death. He was the primary suspect in the other escapee's murder because there were hard feelings between the two, but there was never enough evidence to prove he committed the murder. On April 18, 1939, Governor James H. Price commuted his sentence to life. He was paroled in November of 1947 but sent back to prison in 1950 for violating his parole. On November 28, 1961, he was pardoned by Governor James L. Almond Jr. Chief Martin had served with the Galax Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Martin gave the Galax Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Galax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Posey is the only officer of Galax Police Department remembered here.
Posey is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Posey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Posey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 8 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Posey was 51. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Posey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Posey was 51. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Posey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Posey was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Posey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.7% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 16.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Galax Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Galax Police Department are honored on badge.nw.