Officer William L. Martin
Oakland Police Department
California
End of Watch: Friday, October 9, 1970

Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, October 9, 1970
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One killed, one committed suicide

Officer William Martin was shot and killed after he and his Sergeant were involved in a vehicle pursuit on the Nimitz Freeway.

As the vehicle left the freewa, two suspects ran out the vehicle and began to flee. As the Sergeant rounded the corner one of the suspects opened fire on him in his cruiser. Officer Martin also rounded the corner. He and the second suspect exchanged gunfire. The suspect was killed instantly and Officer Martin received fatal wounds as well. A second suspect committed suicide and two more were apprehended.

Officer Martin had been a member of the Oakland Police Department for 18 months.