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Incident
Officer Joseph Martin suffered a heart attack and died after a foot pursuit of two suspects.
After the foot chase Officer Martin returned to his vehicle and complained of chest pains. He finished his shift and as soon as he got home he asked his wife to take him to the hospital, where he remained for six days until his death.
Survivors
He had been employed with the Melrose Police Department for ten years and is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqkcnyf1vc98cn3cb09c- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Patrol Officer Martin gave the Melrose Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Melrose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Martin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Joseph is the only officer of Melrose Police Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 2 officers in MA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1969, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1969, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 46. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Joseph had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Joseph was 46. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 46. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 18.2% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Fridays: 25%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Melrose Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
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
0 officers from Melrose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.