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Incident
Chief of Police Eddis Floyd Martin died as a result of injuries he suffered when his patrol struck a vehicle that pulled onto the road in front of his patrol car as he was pursuing a speeding vehicle two months earlier. About 8:30pm on Sunday, April 20th, 1958, Chief Martin was conducting traffic enforcement on Route 8 in Penn Township when he began chasing a speeding vehicle. Another vehicle pulled out from the parking lot of the Stepp Inn onto the highway in front of his patrol car. The chief struck the left rear of that vehicle, then crossed the road, hitting a utility pole. The impact jammed the doors of the patrol car, trapping Chief Martin inside for about ten minutes.
The fire department was able to free him after prying the car doors open. Chief Martin was taken to Butler County Memorial Hospital with severe head and chest injuries. He remained in the hospital in serious condition for several weeks but was then released. He passed away at his home about one week later. The Butler County coroner ruled his death was the result of injuries suffered as a result of this accident. Chief Martin had served as the police chief of Penn Township for years following his retirement from a local manufacturing plant.
Chief of Police Eddis Floyd Martin died as a result of injuries he suffered when his patrol struck a vehicle that pulled onto the road in front of his patrol car as he was pursuing a speeding vehicle two months earlier.
About 8:30pm on Sunday, April 20th, 1958, Chief Martin was conducting traffic enforcement on Route 8 in Penn Township when he began chasing a speeding vehicle. Another vehicle pulled out from the parking lot of the Stepp Inn onto the highway in front of his patrol car. The chief struck the left rear of that vehicle, then crossed the road, hitting a utility pole. The impact jammed the doors of the patrol car, trapping Chief Martin inside for about ten minutes.
The fire department was able to free him after prying the car doors open. Chief Martin was taken to Butler County Memorial Hospital with severe head and chest injuries. He remained in the hospital in serious condition for several weeks but was then released. He passed away at his home about one week later. The Butler County coroner ruled his death was the result of injuries suffered as a result of this accident.
Chief Martin had served as the police chief of Penn Township for years following his retirement from a local manufacturing plant.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Martin gave the Penn Township Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Butler 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 · Accident
Eddis is the only officer of Penn Township Police Department remembered here.
Eddis is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Eddis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eddis is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1958, 6 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1958, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1958, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eddis was 72. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Eddis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Eddis was 72. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Eddis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eddis was 72. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Eddis had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Penn Township Police Department. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
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
0 officers from Penn Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.