Mercer County Sheriff's Office, North Dakota
End of Watch Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Add to My HeroesPaul Martin
Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin was struck and killed while deploying spike strips in an attempt to stop the pursuit of a stolen vehicle on Highway 200 at 5:35 p.m.
Authorities were notified of a stolen vehicle that crashed through the door of an ambulance bay from Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck. When Mercer County deputies located the SUV in Hazen, the driver fled, and a pursuit began. Five miles west of Hazen, the driver crashed into a Mercer County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle with its emergency lights activated. The impact propelled the patrol vehicle into Deputy Martin, who was deploying stop sticks.
The subject was apprehended at the crash scene. He has been charged with manslaughter, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment. His manslaughter charge was upgraded to homicide.
Deputy Martin had served with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
Bio
- Age 53
- Tour 18 years
- Badge 3446
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile
- Offender In custody
Most Recent Reflection
View all 84 Reflections3446,
In my 39 years on job, I've met many cops. If I had to describe you with one word, it would have to be genuine. You never had an agenda--just a good guy wearing the same uniform on the other side of the river. Our last conversation, we talked about grandkids and retirement. I got the call that someone was down in Mercer County and we had a officers going over to cover--and then I found out and the first thing that came to mind was our last conversation.
Rest easy brother, I'll never forget you....until we meet again!
LT/4421
Neighboring County
March 30, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024