Saturday, February 9, 2008 1:17 AM CST
Sheriffs name Martin Deputy of the Year
By AMBER WILLIAMS, Staff Writer
awilliams@jg-tc.com
SPRINGFIELD — A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy fatally wounded in the line of duty last year was honored as the 2007 Deputy of the Year this week by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association.
In a ceremony on Monday that included the family of slain deputy Tommy “T.K.” Martin and several of his fellow deputies, the honor was posthumously awarded to Martin because of his actions during a shooting and standoff in the Arcola area last summer, said Clint Howard, operations sergeant for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Deputy of the Year award is presented to the deputy sheriff that displayed unwavering loyalty, honor and bravery during the previous year,” Howard said.
During the ceremony, Douglas County Sheriff Charlie McGrew narrated the events surrounding Martin’s death last summer for consideration by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association.
“Sheriff McGrew spoke about the incident and when he finished the presentation Tommy’s children received a standing ovation by the members,” Howard said.
Following McGrew’s speech, Martin’s daughter Laura Pitts thanked everyone for their kindness after the shooting incident and son Daniel Martin described his father as a honorable man who would have been humbled to receive the award.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a plaque for Martin’s award which reads, “The Illinois Sheriff’s Association acknowledges Chief Deputy Tommy K. Martin, Douglas County, 2007 Deputy of the Year. In Recognition for an act of outstanding bravery performed in the line of duty and resulting in the ultimate sacrifice and for his unselfish dedication to serve and protect his community.”
Martin, 59, died July 17 as a result of gunshot wounds he received while responding to an armed robbery on June 21.
Martin was killed while responding to a call to search for two men who had robbed a grocery store in Camargo and stolen vehicles.
Yusef Kareem Brown and William B. Thompson, both of Chicago, were arrested in the crime spree.
Brown, 23, and Thompson, 26, each are charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Martin.
They are also faced with numerous charges related to other events on June 21, including performing an armed robbery and home invasion in Camargo before fleeing in a high speed chase into Arcola, where they demanded money and took hostages at the First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust.
Contact Amber Williams at awilliams@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.
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