Police Officer Johnny L. Martin

Johnny L. Martin

Police Officer Johnny L. Martin was shot and killed while off duty after a neighbor caught a man breaking into vehicles near 3228 North Wilton Avenue.

The suspect was known to area residents as a thief who frequently broke into cars. The neighbor caught him and told him he was going to call the police. Knowing that Officer Martin was a police officer, the neighbor went to his home and notified him.

As Officer Martin and the neighbor spoke on the sidewalk the man returned to the scene riding a bicycle. He had gone home and retrieved a .32 caliber handgun. He rode up to Officer Martin and shot him in the chest at close range, fatally wounding him. Despite the wound, Officer Martin returned fire with his off-duty weapon as the man rode away.

The subject was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to 35 years in prison. He was released on parole in 2007.

Officer Martin is a four year veteran of the department. He is survived by his mother, five sisters, and two brothers.