Officer Robert K. Martin

Officer Robert K. Martin | Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona
Officer Robert K. Martin

Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona

End of Watch Tuesday, August 15, 1995

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Robert K. Martin

Officer Robert Martin was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on the Beeline Highway near Fountain Hills, Arizona.

After murdering Officer Martin the suspect stole his service weapon and fled to California. He then used the service weapon to murder a convenience store clerk. The subject was apprehended several days later. He was convicted of first degree murder for murdering Officer Martin and sentenced to death.

On December 3rd, 2017, he was also convicted of murdering the convenience store clerk in California.

Officer Martin had been with the agency for 28 years. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

  • Age 57
  • Tour 28 years
  • Badge 474

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
  • Offender Sentenced to death

traffic stop

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Most Recent Reflection

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"Mother" Martin: Dec 16, 2011

As posted in "Together We Served" 7 years ago.

I never had the privilege to meet Officer Martin, but I had heard that he was affectionately referred to as Mother Martin for his age, experience, and the way he took care of and demonstrated interest in his younger partners.

I frequently drove by his memorial (on The Beeline) nearby to the shooting scene. I always slowed and reflected as I went by. I would like his family to know that Officer Martin's memorial always served as a reminder to me to be careful. I appreciated the care given to the memorial so much.

On a side note; I responded to a large bar fight at the bowling alley in Payson (AZ) on an afternoon in 2000. After arriving, I observed a fellow officer bending over a suspect he was cuffing up. I then saw a young man charging this Officer from behind. I was able to intercept this young man who turned to fight me. I had to forcefully slam him to the ground to control and arrest him.
It turned out he was the cousin of the murderer of Officer Martin, and had been disparaging Officer Martin's memory as well as generally mocking the DPS and Payson Police for some time. He was shut up that day, and I am proud to have been able to honor Officer Martin with that arrest.

Officer (Retired) Steve Caros
Payson, AZ PD & Manhattan Beach, CA PD

January 24, 2019

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