Officer John Martin was shot after approaching several on the street late at night and cautioning them to quiet down. After years of decline, Officer Martin eventually died from his injuries.

On February 15, 1886 at 2:30 am, Officer Martin approached three men at 4th and Wyandotte Streets and directed them to quiet down. As he approached the men, one of the men straightened out his arm toward Officer Martin and fired a shot into Officer Martin's mouth, breaking his left jaw. After Officer Martin fell to the ground the suspect fired two more times with one shot entered the back of Officer Martin's neck and lodged at the base of his brain.

The alarm was raised and officers checking the area stopped Alexander Tulor at 4th and Main Streets. Tulor admitted to being one of the three men at the scene of the shooting. Tulor in turn named Thomas Franklin Martin as the shooter. Police located Thomas Martin in a room at 10th and Main Streets and took him into custody. Thomas Martin was sentenced to ten years in prison for the assault after his companions turned state's evidence.

As a result of his injuries, Officer Martin was reassigned to work as a turnkey until three years prior to his death when, after his mental condition continued to decline, he tragically had to be sent to an asylum in St Joseph, Missouri. Officer Martin eventually succumbed to his wounds August 13, 1892.

Funeral services John Martin were held August 16th at the family residence at 2434 McGee. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and a son, Edward. Interred: Mount St. Mary's Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant