Police department marks 20th anniversary of officer’s sacrifice

On the Fourth of July, the Rhinelander Police Department’s Facebook page featured just one post. The brief message commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of Sgt. Stephen G. Martin. 

It was fitting that the department chose to share Martin’s story on the Fourth of July as he lost his life while serving overseas.

“This week marks the 20th anniversary of losing one of our own,” the post reads. “Stephen G. Martin was a true American Hero and he is dearly missed by his friends, his family, and the members of the Rhinelander Police Department.”

This May 14, 2014 file photo shows the plaque posted at the Rhinelander Police Department in memory of Sgt. Stephen G, Martin.
(River News file photo)

As the post explains, Martin joined the Rhinelander Police Department in February 1996 and had reached the rank of sergeant by the time he was called up to active duty and left for Mosul, Iraq in early 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 prompted him to return to military service as a Staff Sergeant with the 330th Military Police Detachment, Army Reserve, Sheboygan.

“On June 24, 2004 a suicide car bomber attempted to drive a vehicle full of high explosives into the police training academy (Martin was helping to train Iraqi police recruits) while everyone was sleeping,” the police department post relates. “Stephen and two of his comrades heard the vehicle approaching at which point they ran to the rooftop of the academy and opened fire on it. As a result of their quick action, the individuals inside of the academy were saved from the blast.”

Martin was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries. He was 39.

Sgt. Charles Kiser, 37, of Cleveland, Wis., also died as a result of the bomb attack.

Martin’s memorial service, held at Rhinelander High School, drew more than 700 people, according to an Associated Press report, and members of the community stood outside the police department waving small American flags as his cortege passed by on its way to Forest Home Cemetery where he was laid to rest. 

Two decades later, there are only two current members of the  department who worked with Martin — Sgt. Kurt Helke and Chief Lloyd Gauthier — however his memory continues to cherished.

“Steve’s humor, affinity for bike patrol, and heroism in sacrificing his life to save others will not be forgotten,” the Facebook post reads.

In May 2014 a flag memorial was added to the police department building. It is meant to honor all police officers, past and future, who are killed in the line of duty and is accompanied by a plaque engraved with Martin’s name and a quote from Joseph Campbell: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].