Lieutenant William J. Martin

William J. Martin

Lieutenant William Martin was shot and killed, and another officer with him was wounded during a gun battle with three men they were pursuing in a stolen automobile.

Lieutenant Martin's partner shot and killed one suspect, and the other two were apprehended.

It was discovered the trio were wanted in Kansas for the murder of three police officers: Patrolman C. Leroy Damron, of the Bonner Springs Police Department, shot and killed on August 23, 1922, and Sergeant Elmer C. Biggs and Patrolman Fred C. Wheeler, of the Kansas City Police Department, shot and killed September 1, 1922.

Both suspects, ages 24 and 25, were convicted of Lieutenant Martin's murder and sentenced to life. On November 27, 1940, Governor John W. Bricker commuted the conviction of one suspect from first-degree murder to second-degree murder so he could apply for parole.

Lieutenant Martin had served with the Toledo Police Department for 22 years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.