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Incident
Sheriff Edmund McMartin and City Marshal William Kelley, of the Oxnard Police Department, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for murder. Sheriff McMartin had received information the man was at a home at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Sherman Way in Los Angeles. The two officers went to the home and spoke to the owner, who informed them the wanted man and an accomplice were staying in a shack in the backyard. When the suspect opened the door he recognized the officers and opened fire with a pistol, fatally wounding both. The man fled but committed suicide a short time later as officers surrounded him. Marshal Kelley had served in law enforcement for 44 years. He had previously served as sheriff of Dakota County, Nebraska, and as the United States Marshal for Nebraska. He was appointed Oxnard's first city marshal in 1898 and also held commissions as a constable and sheriff's deputy. Sheriff McMartin had served with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for over 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Sheriff McMartin gave the Ventura County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ventura community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff McMartin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Edmund is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Edmund is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edmund is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 1 officer at Ventura County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 1921, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Edmund was 61. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Ventura County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 30. Edmund had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Edmund was 61. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Edmund had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edmund was 61. 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. Edmund had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edmund was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edmund had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 33.3%.
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Ventura County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Edmund among them.
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Edmund Guy McMartin
Aug 20, 1921
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Bryce N. Patten
Aug 19, 1960
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Earl Mendenhall
Jul 15, 1961
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Donald L. Gregory
Sep 9, 1961
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Chester Lewis Larson
Jan 20, 1969
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Donald E. Haynie
Jun 5, 1970
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Harvey A. Varat
Oct 20, 1973
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Thomas Kenneth Collins
Oct 25, 1975
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Peter John Aguirre, Jr.
Jul 17, 1996
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Lisa Dianne Whitney
Aug 12, 1998
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Robert Daniel Bornet
Nov 6, 2006
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Yevhen Kostiuchenko
Oct 28, 2014
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Ronald Lee Helus
Nov 8, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Ventura County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
