Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Marty, Officer Chivas, we went to the academy together, we were training partners for defensive tactics. You were always able to help me learn how to be a better student.
Rest in peace Marty.

Chief (Retired) Fred Deweese
Eastpointe Police Dept.

March 30, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Chivas.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 10, 2021

Troy police officer honored by House bill
On Nov. 10, Rep. Howrylak introduced HB 6041 that would designate a portion of I-75 within the city of Troy at the Rochester Road exit as the "Officer Martin 'Marty' Chivas Memorial Highway." Troy Police Officer Chivas, 24, was shot and killed on April 22, 1974 by two prisoners who escaped from a Marquette prison farm 72 hours earlier. Prior to killing Chivas, they killed a Marquette waitress and a service station attendant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both prisoners were later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. HB 6041 was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mike
MDOT

November 18, 2016

42 years have gone by and I still remember your smile. You are missed my friend, but your memory still lives on in our hearts. God Bless you Marty.

Debbie
Friend

April 22, 2016

God Bless you Marty! You are gone but never to be forgotten!

Ptl Charlie Villerot. Retired
Troy Police

April 22, 2014

God bless you Marty. You will never be forgotten! But you are missed!

Ptl Charlie Villerot. Retired
Troy Police

April 22, 2014

April 22, 2014
How well I have remembered that night for the past forty years. I was Marty''s shift commander, though I was off duty that night. Marty was not only a good cop, he was a very special person. I was glad to have been able to know and work with him, my only regret is that I never asked him if he knew the Lord God. I was told though, by one of our responding officers, that Marty's last words were, "God help me." He did know.

As his Sergeant, I had the privilege of coordinating his funeral for the Department with his parents and the many police agencies that participated. The procession was over one mile long, on the way to Acaia Park ( Masonic) Cemetary at 13 mile and Southfield Roads.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he that beleives in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and he who lives and believes in me shall never die." John 11:25

Till the day we meet again Marty.

John Donovan, Retired Chief
Troy PD

April 19, 2014

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to serve others.
You were asked to see, what no man should ever have to see.
To go through, what no man should ever have to go through.
But you did so with pride, honor, and integrity.

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to defend those, who could not defend themselves.
To provide justice to those, who did not respect it.
To lay down your life, if the time called for it.
Again, you did not question what was asked of you.
You did it with love, compassion, and loyalty.

My faithful servant.
In times of adversity, you prayed for strength.
In times of triumph, you praised your Lord.
You served your Country, State, and city proud.
Your service will forever be remembered by the many lives you’ve touched.

My faithful servant.
When your service on this earth is finally complete.
I will welcome you home with open arms.
I will embrace you and proclaim,
“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

RIP my brother, the Lord has taken you home.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

April 7, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.
Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 23, 2012

I was a State Trooper from the Romeo Post. Crossing I-75 on M-59 we heard a call come out and were the first officers on the scene. After securing the scene and turning it over to troy PD we began a search of the area, alleys, businesses, etc. It was a tough night I have thought of you often and the people you meant so much too. You did everything right from what I learned, just some very bad people you had no idea you'd encountered. I hope your family has found peace and prospered in your absence. Thanks for your service. God Bless

Trooper (frmly) Overton
MSP

January 22, 2012

My father is your cousin, I was very young when you were killed. You look very much like my father, the Chivas gene is strong. I have always known of you, your service, and your sacrifice. I have an etching of your name from the Police Memorial when I visited DC in 2003.

Although I have always respected your service and was saddened by your loss, the magnitude struck me when a member of my department was killed January 17, 2011. It is a club no one wants to belong to, yet there is great comfort there.

Thank you, rest well, and continue to watch over your brothers and sisters.

Suzanne Chivas Law, Dispatcher
Livonia PD, MI

August 17, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

April 22, 2010

On the 35th anniversary of Officer Chivas' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Officer Chivas is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

April 22, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Chivas.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

"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

November 26, 2007

Marty, I think about you and your tragic death often. I also remember the great times we had as friends and the goal you had of being a "Narc" someday. As roomates go, you where one of the best. Being a cop was your dream. You are missed deeply by your family and friends. God Bless you and I know you are watching over us.

Byron Satterly Det. Sgt. Ret.
Sterling Hgts PD/Friend

July 6, 2006

On this, the anniversary of your death I SALUTE YOU officer Chivas.

As a member of the Sterling Hgts Police Dept, I know only too well the pain of losing one of your own. I am certain that you and Mark are watching over all of us...you are our guardian angels.

Yours is a fine department and I am proud to work "side by side" with them.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Friend of Mark Sawyers EOW 6-5-04
SHPD

April 22, 2005

My husband is a Sergeant with the Warren Police Department. He located this site and told me about Marty being here. I visited the site, but I waited until now, when I had my thoughts together before I posted these memories of Marty.

I have two of them: the first is working the Dispatch Desk with Marty on the night shift. In early 1974, I was one of the first three female police cadets hired for the City of Troy. He worked Midnights and the Cadets worked until 3:00 a.m. He taught me how to play Gin Rummy during the quiet times. He was a very good teacher and card player. I enjoyed our talks during the games.

My second memory is when I took classes on Self-Defense and I was paired with Marty to practice. He was a sweetie and a cutie (remember, this is before I was married) and I thought that I should mess up on purpose, so I could practice more with him ;D As it turned out, I was pretty awful at some of the stuff, so I didn't have to pretend for extra practice.

Officer Martin Chivas was a warm, friendly, gracious and generous person. He was proficient in his duties as a police officer for the City of Troy. I was blessed to have known and worked with him. Since April, 1974, there has been a special place in my heart for Marty. He is forever young to me.

Celia Leitch Belz, Police Cadet
Troy Police Department

October 1, 2003

Rest in peace blue angel. Thank you for your service.

S. Yates
Concerned citizen