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Incident
Corporal Wayne Martinez was stabbed to death by three inmates during an escape attempt at the Wyoming State Penitentiary. The suspects had gained control to the shift commander's office and attacked Corporal Martinez, beating him and stabbing him three times. The suspects then fled in a truck but were stopped when other officers opened fire on them at an exterior fence. The three inmates were convicted of Corporal Martinez's murder and sentenced to life in prison. One of the inmates died in prison in 2016. Corporal Martinez had served with the Wyoming Department of Corrections for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, four daughters, and his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Corporal Martinez gave the Wyoming Department of Corrections 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Wyoming. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Martinez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wyoming Department of Corrections has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Wayne is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Wayne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wayne 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 1997, 1 officer in WY was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1997, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1997, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wayne was 27. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5. Wayne had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Wayne was 27. 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. Wayne had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wayne was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wayne had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 14.6% of these deaths in WY; March holds the most, 14.6%. Thursdays: 14.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Wyoming Department of Corrections. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.4% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Wyoming Department of Corrections has 3 officers remembered here, Wayne among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wyoming Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.