Officer Down Memorial Page

Your heroism and service is honored on the 22nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service.
My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

To his father, I share your wait for justice and hope that you are able to see it rendered.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05
May 13, 2012

Joey,

You will never be forgotten. I remember leaving the service and driving from Dade County to Matrin County taking you home. Four to a car and blue lights for as long as you could see.he trip started out somber, but after a while we started telling "Joey" stories. We even laughed a bit. That's the way I want to remember you, with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Sergeant (Retired) Jim Murray
Miami-Dade Police - Intracoastal Station
April 27, 2012

Joe, It does not seem possible that 22 years have past. I remember the procession from Miami to Martin County. We had just finished the service and were bringing you back home. The ride started out somber, however it gave us time to reflect and tell a few stories about you. We even laughed for a brief moment. Your picture hangs in honor and a reminder of all that you gave. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Sergeant (Retired) Jim Murray
Miami-Dade Police - Intracoastal Station
April 27, 2012

To the Family of Joe Martin, never doubt that he is remembered, many of us won't write on this wall (they won't know , they won't see the email, or the notice) but never doubt for a minute that hundreds, if not thousands, remember, and will always remember, that he was a hero and maybe more importantly , a good man.

Detective Laura Russell (RET)
Miami Dade Police Dept
April 27, 2012

Joe, we have not forgot you. I see your picture at the Intracoastal Station every day and remember that you were a big strong officer with a caring disposition. I was a CST Detective back then and saw you alot as we all ran around dealing with in progress crimes. We all lost a little something when you left us. Mr. Martin I hope you have found some peace over the years. I also hope you get to see Joe's killer dispatched to hell. Joe was very brave and I saw him in action many times. How proud you must be.....

Sergeant Allan Kratman
Miami-Dade Police Department
April 27, 2012

Joe, it is just shy of 22 years since you were suddenly taken from us. I had only a couple of years on the road when your life was taken. The year before we were on the same squad for a shift. I still remember what a great example you were for us newbies-you were kind, compassionate, intelligent, helpful, had excellent officer safety and very proactive!!!
I can only hope that I have been half the officer that you were!!! We all strive to be the well rounded officer that you were!!!!
It still pains all of us to think that you are gone...and how it happened. Those of us who are still in Northeast District and those that come back to visit all still have wonderful memories of you!!!
As I prepare to retire.....I think of those before me who were "forced" into an early retirement from this great job and from life on earth!!
I hope that your family and friends are doing well!!!
They still have my deepest condolences!!!!!

Rest in Peace Senior Officer!!! We salute you!!!!!!!

Ofc. D. Evelyn
MDPD
April 24, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Martin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
February 14, 2012

I remember Joey as such a kind person...seems like it was yesterday we were outside throwing the football in the yard where he grew up. As a young boy I really looked up to him! He was such a cool dude! He gave me an old Daisey b.b. gun which I thought was the coolest thing ever. Joey was my cousin. I really miss him and think about him often! We lost a GREAT man way too soon!! Im so proud of the courage and bravery he showed on that tragic morning and I will NEVER forget the man he was and the possitive influence he had on his younger cousin Robert! I sure wish we could throw the football around some more! God bless Joey!

Robert Cornell
cousin
December 5, 2011

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all and you sir are one of them. May you continue to rest in peace. God bless your family and friends left behind to pick up and move forward without you.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

Anonymous
April 27, 2011

SIMPLY PUT, HE WAS A GENTLEMAN

LOU PELOSI RETIRED
MDPD
April 11, 2011

WOW What can I say about Joey that has not already been said. The midnight shift back then was really tight, you knew that if you stopped someone that everybody would head that way, just to make sure you were alright. Most of us on midnight shift were senior officers, back then the ole saying was only the cops and crooks are out after midnight. I did over 9 years on midnight shift, just to work alongside officers like Joey, that night we could tell in thier voices that the traffic stop they (Carlos and Joey) were about to take sounded bad.. everybody started heading that way before the screams of shots fired.. I believe that is one of the main reason we got the subjects so quickly, I had to write the report on the incident and refused to title the report. Joey was more than a fellow officer, he was our brother and best freind, I try to remember the funny times we used to have, spraying our fire extingusiher at each other patrol cars, telling the waitress that the other officer was picking up the dinner tab without telling the officer ( Joey did that to me a couple times).. Joey you made midnights enjoyable to work with and I still miss you my friend.

Ret Sgt Ray Bedal
Miami-Dade Police Dept
April 7, 2011

Your sacrifice to our community and nation will not ever be forgotten. May your family have comfort in knowing the legacy of you family in law enforcement with the MDPD and you distinguised carrer is an example for all to follow.
Till we meet again.

Capt. Bernie Charette, Ret. 74-00
MDPD
April 7, 2011

To The Family of Officer Martin:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your senseless murder in the line of duty. You are greatly missed by your family, friends and colleagues. the bravery and dedication to your job will never be forgotten. i grew up in North Miami Beach not far where you were killed and pass by the sign on NE 13th Ave. dedicated to your memory. My dad was a New York City policeman in the 102 precinct for nearly 40 years. i have visited your grave at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery. Rest in peace Officer Martin your courage won't be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2011

To The Family of Officer Martin:
I wanted to offer my sympathies on your senseless murder in the line of duty. You are greatly missed by your family, friends and colleagues. the bravery and dedication to your job will never be forgotten. i grew up in North Miami Beach not far where you were killed and pass by the sign on NE 13th Ave. dedicated to your memory. My dad was a New York City policeman in the 102 precinct for nearly 40 years. i have visited your grave at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery. Rest in peace Officer Martin your courage won't be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2011

Dear Joe,I want you to know I think of you all the time.When you would come to eat I knew just what you wanted-never changed :-) You were a wonderful officer & person.Your smile lite up the room. Your kindness filled lives with hope.RIP my friend...

Carol Myers/waitress
Denny's/collins ave
September 1, 2010

It is amazing to me that its been almost 20 years since you were taken from us. I was a young 15 year old kid in high school when i used to ride with Joey. I was a Police Explorer at the Inreacoastal District where Joey was assigned. All of the explorers would fight to ride with Joey because he was an awesome cop and an even better person. He would take the time to teach us how to be good cops and would also take the time to get involved with our personal lives. As young kids that meant the world to us. It was so shocking and devastating to wake up that morning of April 27 to hear Joey had been shot and killed. I couldnt believe it because Joey's officer safety was amazing. As it turns out the killer fired a lucky shot that Joey couldnt have seen coming. Joey emptied his revolver and fought till his last breathe. Im sure the last thing he thought about was his family that he talked about so much. What a great man. You are missed but you are still remembered. Thanks for the memories Joey.

Lieutenant Steve Czyzewski
Miami-Dade Police Department
December 8, 2009

I will never forget that night as long as I live. I will never forget looking Joseph's killer in the face and knowing I had a job to do, to try and get a confession, though I wanted him dead myself.
I got what I needed, we got the conviction, but my friend and former supervisor Larry Martin lost his son, and now we can only hope that justice will truly be served.
God bless little Joey, Jr. and the entire Martin family!

Ramesh Nyberg, Retired, MDPD
June 8, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
May 1, 2008

Officer Martin your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
April 17, 2008

God continue to bless the Martin family for years to come. Thank you Ofc. Joseph Preston Martin for a fine job.

Never will he be forgotten!

Ret. PO
City of Miami PD Fla.
November 12, 2007

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
October 3, 2007

G-d Bless.

April 27, 2007

I worked many a midnights with Joe and he was a very fine officer, friend, father and husband. Not a day goes by that i think of Joe and what happened that night. You will always be remembered my friend. God Bless you and your family.

Investigator Jeffrey Spayd
PA Office of Inspector general
April 5, 2007

The smile you see in Joe's face was always with him. I first met him when he was a young lad while I was working with his father. I saw that smile. Years later I was one of his field training officers. He was an inteligent young man, eager to learn. He wanted to treat everyone with the respect he had learned from his Father. He never met a stranger and would follow up to see if he could be of any futher assistance. Joe would get with other officers, join them in prayer, comfort and councel them.
I loved Joey for who he was, my friend.

Jack Kramp,patrolman,retired
one of Officer Martin's F.T.0.
March 21, 2007

I was blessed with teaching Mr Martin's daughter after the accident. She was in my First Grade classroom she told me what had happened. We had a wonderful year but there was a void there that I hope I filled alittle part of her lost. I was also blessed to know his wife and son. I've seen the Memorial at the Police Museum in Miami. May God wrap his family in his arms.

Sherry Hester
October 5, 2006