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Joseph A. Martyna
Incident
Lieutenant Joseph Martyna suffered a fatal heart attack a short time after being involved in an intense search and rescue mission for a missing hunter in the Everglades.
He had been piloting his agency's Bell 206L4 helicopter while searching for the hunter in Collier County. He collapsed a short time after returning home following the search.
Lieutenant Martyna had served with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for 31 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
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
31 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Martyna gave the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Martyna.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Joseph is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 2 officers in FL were lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 2008, 14 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 40th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2008, 14 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 40th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 54. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. Joseph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 54. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
November holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Sundays: 16.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has 7 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are honored on badge.nw.
