Officer Robert K. Martin Arizona Department of Public Safety Arizona Tuesday, August 15, 1995  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Grandpa,everyday i look to the stars and say prayer for you.It is weird how you have been gone from our lives for alittle over 14yrs. I do believe there is not a day that goes by that we don't think or talk about you. You were such a specialgrandfather,greatgrandfather,father,husband,and DPS Officer.You are surely missed by all of us. We love you, You have done great things for many people out there,and knowing that helps our family!! untill we see each other again..you'll always be our grandpa..

Anonymous

2009-10-27

Thinking of you and your loved ones today. You have not been forgotten as true heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer; Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
2009-08-15

Grandpa,

It has been almost 14 years now. Not a day goes by that you are not remembered and missed. The pain of not having you here is just as strong as the day the news came. I find true comfort in knowing that you made such a difference in the lives of those around you. You always were and always will be a hero in my eyes. Until we meet again...

Anonymous

2009-02-20

Thank you for your dedication and service.

Richard L. Porter
HWY 87 frequent traveler 37 Years
2008-11-08

Officer Martin,
On today, the 13th anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Arizona. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

Anonymous

2008-08-15

Officer Robert K. Martin,

The circumstances of your death are as tragic as can be. You have made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty. You have the respect of every good law officer on the face of the planet. Your dedication to duty and your courage to remain active for so many years is admirable. I believe that the legion of law officers, who sacrificed their lives before you in the performance of their duty, will greet you at Heaven's gate. Honor, Dedication and Valor now speak for you, and they proclaim you one of our finest soldiers of the law. Well done, officer...well done.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police
2008-07-13

Thank you for you sacrifice. You will not be forgotten.

2008-06-16

This day has lived in my mind for since I was only a nine year old boy when you where killed on August 15 1995. My grandparents and I were driving home from Payson when we were told to take another highway. Because the beeline near
the Saguaro lake turn off was closed. Not knowing what had taken place we turned on the radio and hear you had been killed. Since that day everytime I take that drive up to Payson or am on my way back to Mesa I think of the sacrafice you made. Rest in Peace, you are the guardian and spirit of the Beeline Highway

FTO J Mellott B0058
Maricopa County Sheriffs Office
2008-05-12

I knew Bob Martin over the years as an officer doing his duty to slow me down when I was in too big a hurry to reach Payson or Mesa.
I will have to say that he was always VERY FAIR in his treatment of me weather I was speeding (Very bad habit when I was younger) or broken down on the Highway.
There were a few times that he didn't go after me when he had every right to do so as he may have already had someone stopped or somethig else was ha[[ning but the next time he would see me he would stop me and at least read me a RIOT ACT for what I had been doing.
I ewill never forget the day that I was trying to get to Phoenix in a hurry as my father was in the ER and a car was delibritly blocking the "NARROW" 87 at that time so noone could pass him, I saw a spot where I could make it past the line of 12 - 15 cars and this driver tried to block me as I was passing him, I didn't back off and the last I saw of him Bob was pulling him off of the road for a citation. He chewed me out the next time I saew him but also told me I had passed in the safest maner possiable for what was happening at the time.
GOD bless you Office Martin and may GOD keep and protect ypu and ypour family.
Adrian J Flynn

Adrian J Flynn

2007-11-04

"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
2007-07-25

I stopped at the memorial while visiting Arizona and came here to find out the background. I thought I'd just say: Thank you, Robert Martin.

Arizona Visitor

2007-04-02

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

Officer 11169

2007-03-14

I never personally met Officer Bob Martin, but I wish to express a story that recalls a great appreciation to the men and women of Arizona's DPS officers. My best friend since third grade (who passed away in June 2006)and I were regular hunting buddies. We were responsible hunters who always took gun handling, Game & Fish laws, forest service rules as paramount. On one trip in the Bradshaw Mountains (I believe we always had a curse there as we where always having vehicle breakdowns near or around Bumblebee) we had a blowout. No problem, I had a spare. A half dozen miles later, we had another tire problem (not the spare). A can of flat fix got us closer to I-17, but still about 4 miles. Well my friend and I flipped quarters on who would roll that flat tire to I-17 and look for help. He lost the toss and I won, but I gave him $100 cash for the services of a good samaritan. Hours went by, the sun was getting low (I had plenty of water, food and supplies...he took H20 as well), I was concerned about my friend. He did have a .357 Magnum on his hip for defense, but I was still concerned. Just as I was attemping to make a campfire in a safe, flat area 50 yards off the main road, a DPS car came rolling up. My friend was in it. The officer did not only give him a ride into Cortez Junction, but brought him back as well. Turns out that my friend disclosed the fact that he was openly carrying and that he willingly wished to surrender his gun to the officer. The officer did just that, and upon bringing my friend back with a good used tire, returned my friend's loaded .357, but would not accept any form of gratuity. We tried, but he would not accept. He did however take a cold 7up. I have always had faith on our law enforcement community in that that they are here to serve and protect. After the cop left (I wish we had remembered his name or badge number) I asked my friend, who never liked cops before, what he thought now. He was a changed man. We were not on the fringe of a survival situation, but the heartfelt caring of this DPS Officer is one that compelled me to make a warm rememberance to the angels of Arizona's highways. I have said prayers at Officer Martin's rest stop shrine on the way to Roosavelt Lake many times since. Though I never met him (thats probably good), I wish to say thanks to all of you who patrol in our wonderful state and do far more than just enforce law. If I ever encountered an officer in need of any help, I will always oblige. Thank you for what you do every day.

Citizen
none
2007-03-11

If you blink, you'll miss it. There near MP 196 of the southbound lanes of the Beeline is the monument to Officer Martin. He was a fixture on the Beeline and you'll realize his impact when you see the monument.

Arizona citizen

2007-02-14

Having just come on-line in 2007 I now take the opportunity to offer my personal condolences to the family of Officer Robert Martin.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to interview witnesses to this crime and complete a composite illustration of the profile view of the suspect. As it happened, this drawing was not an aid in the final identification of the suspect but I was struck with the intensity of personal participation of the witnesses. These people were willing to stay up very late at night and gave a very articulate description of the suspect.
The final drawing had a very close resemblance to the actual suspect.
This case was one of my final endeavors in forensic art before my retirement from the MCSO on Oct 1, 1995. I can recall the circumstances to this day with sorrow.

Don M. Ely
Maricopa County Sheriff's Ofice (ret.)
2007-01-19

I was on that highway that day, heading home from up north. I have driven the Beline hundreds of times. When I got home, my wife (a police dispatcher) asked, "were you there. did you see it?" She told me what happened. From my calculations, you stopped the suspect seconds after I passed the spot. I only carry my off duty weapon when I'm on the highway, so i can back up those isolated DPS officers. I'm sorry friend I was driving too fast......

Sergeant Duren Robertson
Peoria Police Department
2006-05-21

05/23/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Martin.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.
2004-05-23

GOD bless you and your family, sir. Rest in peace and may we meet you in Glory!

Deputy Sheriff
POLK County Sheriff's Office, Florida
2004-04-18

Your sacrifice and dedication to duty will always be remembered. Semper Fi.

Officer C. Bremer #5890
Arizona Department of Public Safety

God Bless you for your ultimate dedication and service of almost 30 years to the people of this country.

Off. Greg Neese
Bellevue (WA.) PD

I would just like to thank this great officer and his family for the sacrifice Bob gave. Every time I drive the Bob Martin Highway I say a silent prayer for him. There are so few willing to be called a Law Enforcement officer and when one like Bob goes we all suffer a terrible loss. Thank you for 28 years.

Officer C. L. Starr
ADC

I was less than a year into my law enforcement career when Bob was killed. As a profession we have unfortunately experienced such tragedies many times since then, but this one always has stuck with me. Bob didn't deserve to have it end this way. I have a great love and appreciation for those citizens and officers who stepped up and ensured the killer's identification, arrest and conviction. All I have to do is remember this event to renew my vow of "NEVER AGAIN!". We miss you Bob, God bless.

Officer Brian R. Preston
Arizona Department of Public Safety