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Incident
Patrolman Hosea Martin was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men who were transporting illegal alcohol.
Patrolman Martin had gone to the bridge over the Little River on the Greenville-Laurens Road to wait for the vehicle, which was was being followed by members of the Laurens County Rural Police. The vehicle stopped near the bridge and as Patrolman Martin approached the vehicle he was fatally shot.
The two men were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Patrolman Martin was a widower and was survived by his six children.
Survivors
Patrolman Martin was a widower and was survived by his six children.
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.
Patrolman Martin served with the Laurens Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Laurens community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Laurens Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Hosea is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Hosea is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hosea is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 6 officers in SC were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Hosea was 37. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Hosea was 37. 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.
Hosea was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 9.2% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Wednesdays: 8.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Laurens Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Laurens Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Hosea among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Laurens Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
