Deputy Sheriff Leamon "Slim" Martin, Raleigh County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia

Deputy Sheriff Leamon "Slim" Martin

Raleigh County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia

End of Watch Monday, December 17, 1934

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Leamon "Slim" Martin

Deputy Sheriff Slim Martin was beaten to death in Cool Ridge, West Virginia, with a hammer and his own pistol by two men he had just arrested.

He stopped for dinner with the suspects at about 6:00 pm. At some point after dinner, one of the suspects struck him in the back of the head with a machinist's hammer, and a fight ensued. The other suspect seized his gun and beat him with it.

They dragged his body into the woods and took his patrol car. They were involved in a crash a short time later and fled the area on foot. They were apprehended two days later.

Both suspects were sentenced to life in prison but were paroled in 1954.

Deputy Martin was a United States Army WWI veteran who had served with the Raleigh County Sheriff's Office for at least a year. He had previously served with the West Virginia State Police for ten years. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

Bio

Age 41
Tour 11 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Assault
Weapon Blunt object; Hammer
Offender Sentenced to life

arrest attempt, prisoner custody, transport

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Most Recent Reflection

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Deputy Sheriff Martin,
On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during World War I.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

December 17, 2024