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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Johnie Martin was shot and killed after he and the Sheriff stopped a vehicle they suspected of transporting whiskey at 9 p.m. about nine miles west of Nacogdoches at Little Loco bridge.
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office received a tip that a vehicle would be traveling through the area containing illegal liquor. The officers waited on a bridge for the suspected car to drive by and stopped it when it attempted to cross the bridge. The sheriff approached with a pistol in one hand and a flashlight in the other. Deputy Martin started to open a curtain to see if there was whiskey in the car when three shots were fired. Deputy Martin returned fire, killing one bootlegger and injuring another.
The sheriff was wounded in both legs and struck the third bootlegger in the head as he tried to escape. The sheriff called for Deputy Martin to stop the injured subject from escaping, but Martin said, "I am shot through and through; I am killed." The third bootlegger
The second bootlegger, who was captured and claimed he shot at the officers in self-defense, was convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison, but the case was reversed on appeal. On July 25, 1925, he was sentenced to 10 years and paroled on January 20, 1927.
Deputy Martin was survived by his wife and three children.
He was buried in the Blackjack Cemetery in Nacogdoches County.
Survivors
Deputy Martin was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Martin served with the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Nacogdoches community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department has lost 6 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1924, 1 officer at Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 10 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 44. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 44; the middle age was 40.
John was 44. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 44. 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.
John was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 40%.
March holds 7.9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
