Tpr. William F. Martz was accidentally shot and killed by another state police officer.
On March 10, 1925, Trooper Martz and his partner were guarding bank robbers lodged in the Berrien County jail. The officers had been on duty since midnight. At approximately 8 a.m., Trooper Martz’s partner took his revolver out and began inspecting it. The weapon accidentally discharged and the bullet struck Trooper Martz.
Efforts to save Trooper Martz’s life proved futile and he died two days later.
Trooper Martz was the fifth MSP officer to die in the line of duty.