Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Never forgot, Officer Martin. Dade County honors you and others who made the ultimate sacrifice. Everyday your family continues honoring their husband, father and son whose dignity, humility,heart and soul dignified your life and career patrolling for serenity and security here in your beloved community. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2023

It still remains difficult to understand why we lost such a good man that horrific night 32 years ago. People often say about those killed in the line of duty that they were a good person, always had a smile on their face, would give you the shirt off their back. But with you, Joey, all of that was true and then some.

I hope and trust your kids know that you were a good Cop, and an even better man. And I hope they know we still think about you and miss you, because we do.

J. Estis
Police Officer, Retired
Miami Made Police Department

April 28, 2022

Never forgot you, Officer Martin. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 26, 2022

I meant to say a New York City Police Officer, Officer Martin. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 17, 2021

Rest in peace Officer Martin. Forty years ago today my family buried our father who was a New York City for almost forty years.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2020

Officer Martin,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Miami-Dade County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 27, 2020

Thank you Detective Nyberg. I appreciate your humbly kind words regarding your heroic colleague Officer Joseph Preston Martin. Rest in peace Officer Martin. Your honor, integrity and dignity will forevermore be saluted and paid homage for its resolve and unwavering, unselfish and unrelenting perseverance.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 7, 2020

Thank you, Rabbi Davis. That was really nice to see. I was the first Homicide detective on the scene that night, and I took the confession from the shooter, Michael Griffin. It was a horrible night for us in law enforcement. Joseph's dad was Larry Martin, who was a lieutenant of ours in the Homicide Bureau.
Small memorials like the one you gave mean a lot.

Ramesh Nyberg,retired,Miami-Dade Police
Part of the homicide investigative team

January 27, 2020

As I was walking, Officer Martin, yesterday evening I noticed the sign baring your humbly heroic name was placed back down on NE 13th Avenue and NE 163rd Street. Rest in peace Officer Martin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 12, 2019

Officer Martin I received a call from North Miami Beach, Florida regarding the missing sign bearing your humble and heroic name hopefully the city and county can replace the sign as soon as possible. It's paramount that you not be forgotten as a man of valor and character. Rest in peace. I have visited your grave at Our Lady Queen of peace in Royal Palm Beach. Trooper Kimberly Hurd a heroine is buried there too.In the Matthew section is former Dolphins analyst, Jim, "The Mad Dog" Mandich and his wife Bonnie.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2019

Rest in peace Officer Martin. As I was walking home from working out this afternoon I noticed the sign on NE 13th Avenue and 163rd St. was gone. I will have to inquire why? We cannot tarnish nor disrespect a hero's honor and humility.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2019

Not a day goes by that you & J.C. are not in my thoughts. Thank you for your Service and Dedication.

Rest in peace.

Jay Estis

February 7, 2019

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

April 28, 2018

Terrible day for your family, department and the entire police world, Officer Martin. A young man with a loving wife and children who can forever be proud of your decency, honesty and integrity. What happened to you in North Miami Beach, Florida, a city seemingly under siege with violence and crime. I've been here over fifty years. Rest in peace Officer Martin. Dade County was in very capable hands when you served and protected our quality of life and our peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2017

The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.

Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.

A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9

Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association

August 20, 2016

I will always rememeber this fine officer. He was a student and a teacher. I will always love u.

Ofc. Hugo San Martin
MDPD

April 28, 2015

Wow! The years have passed but it still feels like yesterday. RIP Brother.

Lieutenant Luis Almaguer
MDPD

April 25, 2015

i remember all too well that night. i was working two man, midnights central with ofc rodney sanchez. we heard the call go out of officer down. we were instructed to head to ne (intercoastal station) to handle calls because every ne unit was tied up on the scene. when i found out it was joey, i couldn't believe it. i had just talked to him not but a couple days before at court, riding up the esculator. joey was a great guy. always friendly and always made you feel like part of the group, never an outsider. joe will always be remembered and several of us just had a conversation recently on facebook about joe. rest in peace.

lou sacco
mdpd

May 18, 2014

I was a trainee from the BLE 133 class on the night this happened. I was training with an FTO in the same district and nearby. It all happened so quickly that, by the time we arrived, you were already on the way to the hospital. I'm at a loss for words as to how I felt. Though I left the department shortly afterwards, I had been a cop elsewhere for a long time and as such I knew too well what such a loss this was. I hardly knew you, Joseph, I barely remember you from the station, but, I will never your sacrifice. Since then, even as a civilian, I never pass up a unit stopped on the street without looking twice and making sure the officer is ok.

Gilberto A Rivera
Miami Dade Transit

January 30, 2014

I just wanted to leave this reflection for you, Officer Martin, a man of true heart and soul who displayed the bravery necessary to champion freedom and unity in his community. My dad, may he rest in peace was a longtime New York City Police Officer and he passed away yesterday on April 26, 1980. This was one day before your tragic death in the line of duty. I recently met Major Mark Jeter while in North Miami beach talking to one of his fine officers, an Officer Murretta Wright and he remembered you and your colleagues from the Intercoastal Division, Officers Corbett, Boles and Stralzalkowski, all of them with killed in the line of duty after midnight. How very sad! You attended Norland High School, I don't know if you had resided in North Miami Beach, Florida where I now reside with my wife and son. I mentioned Norland High because an officer named William C. Cook, who lived in NMB attended there as well. He lived around the corner, his family and he lived with his wife, Karen, near the high school after they were married. He worked out of the Central Division and was tragically killed in the line of duty on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace Officer Martin and know you partner that night, Officer Carlos Crespo and all of you peers remembers your sacrifice as does your loving wife and children. I pass your sign in your honor practically everyday at NE 163rd Street and NE 13th Avenue. I would love to meet your father Lt. Larry Martin at the upcoming Miami-Dade Police Memorial at Tropical Park.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored on the 22nd 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 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. Rest In Peace.

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. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

To his father, I share your wait for justice and hope that you are able to see it rendered.

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

May 13, 2012

Joey,

You will never be forgotten. I remember leaving the service and driving from Dade County to Matrin County taking you home. Four to a car and blue lights for as long as you could see.he trip started out somber, but after a while we started telling "Joey" stories. We even laughed a bit. That's the way I want to remember you, with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart. Rest in Peace my Brother.

Sergeant (Retired) Jim Murray
Miami-Dade Police - Intracoastal Station

April 27, 2012

Joe, It does not seem possible that 22 years have past. I remember the procession from Miami to Martin County. We had just finished the service and were bringing you back home. The ride started out somber, however it gave us time to reflect and tell a few stories about you. We even laughed for a brief moment. Your picture hangs in honor and a reminder of all that you gave. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Sergeant (Retired) Jim Murray
Miami-Dade Police - Intracoastal Station

April 27, 2012

To the Family of Joe Martin, never doubt that he is remembered, many of us won't write on this wall (they won't know , they won't see the email, or the notice) but never doubt for a minute that hundreds, if not thousands, remember, and will always remember, that he was a hero and maybe more importantly , a good man.

Detective Laura Russell (RET)
Miami Dade Police Dept

April 27, 2012

Joe, we have not forgot you. I see your picture at the Intracoastal Station every day and remember that you were a big strong officer with a caring disposition. I was a CST Detective back then and saw you alot as we all ran around dealing with in progress crimes. We all lost a little something when you left us. Mr. Martin I hope you have found some peace over the years. I also hope you get to see Joe's killer dispatched to hell. Joe was very brave and I saw him in action many times. How proud you must be.....

Sergeant Allan Kratman
Miami-Dade Police Department

April 27, 2012