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Incident
Chief of Police Tom Martin was shot and killed while assisting the Lincoln County sheriff serve an arrest warrant in Logantown. The man named on the warrant was charged with stealing chickens from a farmer in Garrand County.
When Chief Martin and the sheriff arrived at the suspect's home they encountered him outside and told him of the warrant. When the man tried to go into his house the officers stopped him. The man suddenly pulled out a revolver and opened fire, striking Chief Martin three times and the sheriff twice. Despite being severely wounded, Chief Martin was able to return fire after he fell to the ground, killing the subject. The sheriff had gone to the home unarmed.
Despite being wounded himself, the sheriff was able to drive Chief Martin to the hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds the following morning.
Chief Martin had served as chief of the Stanford Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, three daughter, and three brothers.
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
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Martin gave the Stanford Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Stanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stanford Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1931, 20 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 55. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 55. 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. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Saturdays: 19%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Stanford Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.8% 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.
His people
Stanford Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stanford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
