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Incident
Officer Martin was shot and killed when he entered a shoe store to investigate an open door. A citizen who had found a new shoe lying on the street took it home to show his brother. When the two checked about 0730 hours to see if shoe stores in the area had been burglarized, they found Policeman Martin's body lying inside the open door of one of the shoe stores. Four men were arrested for the murder. After being arrested, one of the men implicated another of the men as the actual trigger man. The trigger man was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years and 7 years for burglary. He was paroled on October 24, 1933. The suspect who implicated him was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years.
Survivors
Officer Martin was survived by his wife, five children, three brothers and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Martin served with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cape Girardeau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cape Girardeau Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Willis is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis 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 1921, 1 officer at Cape Girardeau Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 2.
In 1921, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
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
Willis was 59. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cape Girardeau Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 59; the middle age was 49.
Willis was 59. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
Willis was 59. 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.
Willis was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Cape Girardeau Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Sundays: 20%.
February holds 8.9% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Cape Girardeau Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 80% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Cape Girardeau Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cape Girardeau Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
