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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Luther Martin died while attempting to apprehend bootleggers when his car went down an 18-foot embankment, and his neck was broken. Two men were arrested in Greenville on charges they pushed the car of Deputy Martin off the embankment causing his death. The men from Piedmont admitted they were in the car that the deputy was chasing but denied pushing the car off the road. They claimed that they thought the Cadillac in which the deputy was driving had a tire puncture or developed engine trouble when it failed to follow them. They claim not to have known of the deputy’s death until they read the afternoon papers. Deputy Martin had served with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He was survived by his wife and six children. He is buried at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery in Anderson, Anderson County, South Carolina.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 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.
Deputy Sheriff Martin gave the Anderson County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anderson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Anderson County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Luther is one of 139 officers lost to accidents in SC, 31.4% of the 442 remembered there.
Luther is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luther is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 1 officer in SC was lost to accidents, the 42nd heaviest of 71 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 6.
In 1928, 103 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1928, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Luther was 47. Of the 120 lost to accidents in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 41; the middle age was 34. Luther had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Luther was 47. 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. Luther had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Luther had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.8% of these deaths in SC; June holds the most, 13.7%. Tuesdays: 13.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Anderson County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.4% of all 442 deaths in SC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Anderson County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Anderson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
