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Incident
Officer Robert Martin was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on the Beeline Highway near Fountain Hills, Arizona. After murdering Officer Martin, the suspect stole his service weapon and fled to California. He then used the service weapon to murder a convenience store clerk. The subject was apprehended several days later. He was convicted of first-degree murder for murdering Officer Martin and sentenced to death. On December 3rd, 2017, he was also convicted of murdering the convenience store clerk in California. Officer Martin had been with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, father, six children, and one grandchild.
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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Martin gave the Arizona Department of Public Safety 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona. 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
Arizona Department of Public Safety has lost 31 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1995, 2 officers at Arizona Department of Public Safety were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1995, 5 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1995, 96 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1995, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 57. Of the 16 killed feloniously at Arizona Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 47.3; the middle age was 42. Robert had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Robert was 57. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 57. 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. Robert had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 57. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 18.8% of these deaths at Arizona Department of Public Safety; July holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 18.8%.
August holds 8.3% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Tuesdays: 15.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 31 deaths at Arizona Department of Public Safety, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 17.6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Arizona Department of Public Safety has 31 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Louis O. Cochran
Dec 22, 1958
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Paul E. Marston
Jun 9, 1969
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Gilbert A. Duthie
Sep 5, 1970
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James L. Keeton
Feb 5, 1971
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Don A. Beckstead
Feb 7, 1971
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Alan H. Hansen
Jul 19, 1973
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Gregory A. Diley
Dec 2, 1977
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Noah Mack Merrill, Jr.
Dec 11, 1978
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John C. Walker
Nov 30, 1979
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William Harding Murie
Nov 19, 1980
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Thomas Patrick McNeff
Oct 2, 1983
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Richard G. Stratman
Oct 2, 1983
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Bruce A. Petersen
Oct 20, 1987
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Edward Anthony Rebel
Jun 28, 1988
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Johnny E. Garcia
Oct 14, 1989
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John M. Blaser
Aug 31, 1990
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David George Gabrielli
Aug 31, 1990
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Manuel Hurtado Tapia
Jan 8, 1991
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David Jon Zesiger
Jul 3, 1992
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Mark Maynard Dryer
Jul 3, 1993
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Michael Lynn Crowe
Jul 5, 1995
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Robert K. Martin
Aug 15, 1995
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Douglas Edward Knutson
Jan 2, 1998
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Juan Nieblas Cruz
Dec 9, 1998
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Floyd James Fink, Jr.
Feb 18, 2000
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Brett C. Buckmister
Mar 21, 2000
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Bruce Wesley Harrolle
Oct 13, 2008
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Christopher Russell Marano
Dec 17, 2009
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Timothy Allen Huffman
May 6, 2013
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Tyler James Edenhofer
Jul 25, 2018
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Hunter R. Bennett
Feb 4, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
30 officers from Arizona Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
