Wyoming Department of Corrections, Wyoming
End of Watch: Thursday, June 26, 1997
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: June 26, 1997
Weapon Used: Edged weapon
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Corporal Wayne Martinez was stabbed to death by three inmates during an escape attempt at the Wyoming State Penitentiary.
The suspects had gained control to the shift commander's office and attacked Corporal Martinez, beating him and stabbing him three times. The suspects then fled in a truck but were stopped when other officers opened fire on them at an exterior fence.
The three inmates were convicted of Corporal Martinez's murder and sentenced to life in prison. One of the inmates died in prison in 2016.
Corporal Martinez had served with the Wyoming Department of Corrections for seven years. He is survived by his wife, son, four daughters, and his parents.