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Incident
Trooper Willis Martin was killed when his department vehicle was struck head on by the 21-year-old driver of another car when he crossed into his lane while attempting to pass another car. The subject and his passenger, also 21, were killed.
Survivors
Lieutenant Martin is survived by his wife and son.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Martin gave the Kentucky State Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
KY State Police has lost 30 officers; 16 of them lost to accidents.
Willis is one of 161 officers lost to accidents in KY, 16.4% of the 984 remembered there.
Willis is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis 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 1977, 1 officer at KY State Police was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1964, with 2.
In 1977, 1 officer in KY was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1937, with 7.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Willis was 44. Of the 15 lost to accidents at KY State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 38.5; the middle age was 28. Willis had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Willis was 44. Of the 150 lost to accidents in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.8; the middle age was 39. Willis had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 44. 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. Willis had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willis was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Willis had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 18.8% of these deaths at KY State Police, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 25%.
April holds 13.7% of these deaths in KY, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 53.3% of all 30 deaths at KY State Police, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 16.4% of all 984 deaths in KY, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
KY State Police has 30 officers remembered here, Willis among them.
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Harold J. Toll
Nov 14, 1948
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Robert Renaker Miller
Feb 14, 1951
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Lee Trebu Huffman
May 8, 1953
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Herbert C. Bush
Oct 11, 1958
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William Everett Tevis
May 26, 1963
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Elmer Mobley, Jr.
May 28, 1964
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Cecil Walter Uzzle
May 28, 1964
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Delano G. Powell
Jul 8, 1965
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Mack Edward Brady
Nov 9, 1966
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William Harrel Barrett
Dec 19, 1971
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James Willard McNeely
Apr 8, 1972
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Walter Orville Thurtell
Sep 29, 1972
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Joe Ward, Jr.
Apr 23, 1973
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William Carter Smith
Apr 26, 1973
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John Wayne Hutchinson
Jun 4, 1975
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Bobby Allen McCoun, Jr.
Sep 1, 1975
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William Francis Pickard
Jan 21, 1976
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Willis Durwood Martin
Apr 26, 1977
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Clinton Eugene Cunningham
Feb 11, 1979
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Edward Ray Harris
Nov 7, 1979
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Jerome Scott Clifton
Oct 1, 1980
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Darrell Vendl Phelps
Aug 7, 1981
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Johnny Montague Edrington
Dec 20, 1988
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Johnny Gordon Adkins
Nov 24, 1995
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Jonathan Kyle Leonard
Dec 19, 2006
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Anson Blake Tribby
Jan 22, 2013
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Eric Keith Chrisman
Jun 23, 2015
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David Ray Gibbs
Aug 7, 2015
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Joseph Cameron Ponder
Sep 13, 2015
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Hayden Phillips
Sep 28, 2026
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
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