Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio, and the additional 61 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 14, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 63 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 14, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 57 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 14, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 57 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 14, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 55 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 14, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Martin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 28, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 53 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 14, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Richard Wallace Martin of the Howland Police Department, Ohio and the additional 52 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 14, 2017

One of the kindest best police officers we have ever known. Rick was also a very good friend and watched over our neighborhood like no one has since. We will never forget... you are very missed

Phyllis
Jarman

December 15, 2015

Thinking of you and your wife today. Reading your reflections enables me to see how loved you were and how that love and respect is never ending.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 14, 2011

July 31st would have been our 40th anniversary...I will always love you.

Carol Martin
Wife

August 4, 2011

Happy birthday to my dear husband who would be 61 today. I will always love you and miss you so very very much.

Anonymous

March 10, 2011

It was 8 years ago today that you were taken from us. I miss you so very much my dear husband.

Anonymous

December 14, 2010

My dear, sweet husband would have turned 60 today..Happy Birthday honey...I will always love you!

carol martin
wife

March 10, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the seventh 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

December 14, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this sixth anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

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

December 15, 2008

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones on this day and every day. Continue to keep watch over all of them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 14, 2008

God Bless You Rick
We started at the PD as Reserve Officers
You hunted with the Sarge on my in-laws property
You will NEVER be forgotten.

John M. Plihcik
Former Reserve Officer HTPD

August 1, 2008

Rick,
You were my best friend and partner. I have tried to write this reflection several times but it did not come out right. We had a lot of good times hunting and a lot of good times at work. I am sure you are in a better place. You will never be forgotten.

Sgt. John Rumancik (retired)
Howland Police Department

June 12, 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

January 3, 2008

You are remembered today and jthank you Sir for your dedication of 26 years of service

vandenberghe
mancahester, nh

December 8, 2007

You will be remembered
God Bless your family.
I know their hurt.

Romans 8:28 "We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

Lyndell Taylor Member of Concerns of Police Survivors

Lyndell Taylor
Father of Morris Taylor EOW 9/14/2002

June 8, 2007

Patrolman Martin, I have worked at the Howland Police Department for the past year, and even though I did not know you, I have heard stories that showed how highly you were thought of. You left behind many good friends and co-workers. I can say it was an honor to wear the same uniform as you, God Bless you my brother.

Chief David E. Hayes
Sagamore Hills P.D.

Chief David E. Hayes
Sagamore Hills Police Department

March 18, 2007

THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE CITIZENS OF OHIO. I AM SURE YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS ARE TAKING UR SPIRIT TO WORK WITH THEM EVERYDAY..YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

March 17, 2007

It may have taken a few years, but you're where you're supposed to be. Rest in peace my friend.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

March 17, 2007