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Incident
Sergeant Gregory Martin was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-77, near exit 82, at 2:42 am. Sergeant Martin was working a solo midnight shift as another officer had the day off. He was on his way to the Elkin Police Department when he spotted a suspicious man standing behind a strip mall on Highway 67. Investigators believe Sergeant Martin then followed this person to his vehicle and followed the vehicle onto the interstate. Just before making the stop he notified dispatchers that he would be out with the subject. Upon hearing the dispatch, a nearby North Carolina state trooper offered to assist Sergeant Martin, who responded, "I'm going to need some assistance." When the state trooper reached Sergeant Martin's location he found him lying on the side of the road. He had been shot in the head multiple times at close range. The subject had fled the scene after stealing a van from a nearby location. The case remained unsolved until October 3rd, 2012, when a suspect was arrested in Lee County, Florida, and charged with Sergeant Martin's murder. Two additional suspects were arrested in January 2013 and charged with first degree murder. All three subjects were also charged with attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and possession of stolen goods. In March of 2014 the 38-year-old shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. On June 4th, 2014, his two accomplices were convicted of second degree murder, attempted armed robbery, and conspiracy. One was sentenced to 14 to 17 years in prison and the other was sentenced to 10 to 12 years. The subject who was sentenced to life died in prison on April 19th, 2016. Sergeant Martin had served with the Jonesville Police Department for three years. He is survived by his wife and three children. The North Carolina Department of Transportation dedicated a bridge near Jonesville on I-77 as Gregory Martin Memorial Bridge in memory of Sergeant Martin.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three 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.
Patrol Sergeant Martin gave the Jonesville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jonesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Sergeant Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gregory is the only officer of Jonesville Police Department remembered here.
Gregory is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Gregory is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gregory 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 1996, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gregory was 30. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gregory was 30. 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. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gregory was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gregory had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.4% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jonesville Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jonesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.