Beech Tree News Network

Ten officers have died in the line of duty since 1918; Butler County's John C. Martin among the fallen

-----

FRANKFORT— In honor of Kentucky conservation officers who have died in the line of duty, the public is invited to join relatives, state officials and representatives from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Conservation Officers’ Association, for a memorial ceremony at 11 a.m. (EDT), Monday, May 22.

The ceremony will be held outdoors at the Kentucky Conservation Officers Memorial on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s main campus in Frankfort. Ten Kentucky conservation officers have died in the line of duty since 1918: Elijah Roberts, James R. Claxton, John C. Martin, James Brady McClain, Raymond Birdsong, David T. Childs, Denver Tabor, Robert C. Banker, Bernard Dean Ratliff, and Douglas W. Bryant.

Officer John Martin

According to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Conservation Officer John Martin was shot and killed while investigating out-of-season squirrel hunting along the Old Morgantown Road in Warren County, 12 miles west of Bowling Green.  Martin, age 29 at the time, was killed on August 7, 1947.  Officer Martin was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII. He had served as a state conservation officer for only four months. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

“We are humbled and proud to honor the law enforcement officers who have died in the course of duty over the last century,” said Rich Storm, commissioner for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “They and their families deserve the honor of being remembered and appreciated for their sacrifice and their dedication to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the citizens of the commonwealth.”

Speakers:

Commissioner Rich Storm, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Maj. Shane Carrier, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division

Maj. Jeremy McQueary, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Division

Sgt. Thomas Blackwell, Kentucky Conservation Officers’ Association

What: Ceremony honoring Kentucky conservation officers who have died in the line of duty since 1918.

When: Monday, May 22 at 11 a.m. (EDT)

Where: Kentucky Conservation Officers Memorial on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s main campus at 1 Sportsman's Lane (formerly 1 Game Farm Road) in Frankfort. The memorial is located between the large, two-story brick Administration Building and the Salato Wildlife Education Center about ½ mile north of the campus entrance. The entrance is located off U.S. 60, approximately 1½ miles west of U.S. 127.

For more information, visit the department’s website (fw.ky.gov) or call 1-800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Eastern) weekdays, excluding holidays.