Clarence Oden Martin

Clarence Oden Martin was a man whose life combined service to his country with service to his community. A veteran of the United States Army who served during the Korean War, Martin later answered another call to serve by joining the Alexander City Police Department. In the mid-1970s he was a familiar presence to residents of Alexander City, Alabama, having served on the police force for just over two years.

Colleagues and public records note that Patrolman Martin brought the discipline of military service to his work in law enforcement. At the time of his passing he was 44 years old, a detail that points to a life of adult responsibility and commitment to family and community, even though many personal details about his private life are not available in the public record. What is clear from reliable sources is that Martin was both a veteran and a local officer — roles that shaped his identity and the respect shown to him after his death.

Martin’s death on January 6, 1976, was acknowledged beyond local news; his name appears in the Congressional Record and in memorial records that honor law-enforcement personnel who died in the line of duty. Those records note the circumstances of his killing and the subsequent legal outcome, but they also serve as reminders that behind every line in an official record there was a human life that mattered to family, friends, and neighbors.

While there is not a published obituary located in accessible funeral-home or newspaper archives that can be matched to his exact date of death, the verified facts available underscore two enduring truths: Clarence Oden Martin served his country in wartime and later served his hometown in peace, and his life was cut short while he was performing his duties. Remembering him respectfully means honoring his contributions as a veteran and as an officer, and acknowledging the loss felt by his community. Though public details about his family and personal interests are limited in the sources found, his recorded service stands as a testament to a life shaped by duty and care for others.