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Patch image: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California






Officer Harry H. Martin
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California

End of Watch: Sunday, September 19, 1937

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Sunday, September 19, 1937
Weapon Used: Edged weapon
Suspect Info: Executed in 1938

Officer Martin and Warden Clarence Larkin were stabbed to death during a prison escape attempt at Folsom State Prison. Approximately 40 inmates had been waiting to talk to Warden Larkin concerning upcoming parole hearings when seven of the inmates suddenly attacked him. As they took him into the yard other guards started firing. In the commotion that followed Officer Martin and Warden Larkin were both stabbed to death. Officer Martin died at the scene and Warden Larkin died of his wounds five days later.

One of the seven inmates who attempted to escape was wanted for the murder of Officer James Hill, of the Marlow, Oklahoma, Police Department, on April 20, 1931.

Two of the escaping attempts were shot and killed during the incident. The remaining five were all sentenced to death and eventually executed. Two suspects, including the one who had murdered Officer Hill, were executed in the gas chamber on December 2, 1938. Two others were executed on December 9, 1938, the leader of the group was executed on December 16, 1938.

Related Line of Duty Deaths
Patch image: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CaliforniaPolice Officer James Richard Hill
Marlow Police Department, OK
EOW: Monday, April 20, 1931
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Patch image: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CaliforniaWarden Clarence Larkin
California Department of Corrections an..., CA
EOW: Friday, September 24, 1937
Cause of Death: Stabbed

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