Corporal Marti was shot and killed after he confronted four gang members.

On August 28, 1961, at about 10:45 pm, Corporal Marti was responding to a situation where two rival gangs were engaged in a roving gun battle resulting in one youth being shot in the leg earlier in the evening. When Corporal Marti stopped the group at 37th and Wabash, one of the gang members was holding a .22 caliber rifle, which Corporal Marti confiscated. As he was searching the other gang members Corporal Marti reported that one of the youths stated, "He's a copper hit him," he was knocked down and shot in the chest. Corporal Marti died 45 minutes later at Menorah Medical Center.

The suspect, William Homer Hunter, was arrested at his home in possession of a recently fired .32 caliber revolver. He admitted he had been stopped by Corporal Marti and as he was being searched Corporal Marti asked what was in his pocket. He produced the pistol and showed it to Marti. During the ensuing struggle Woods admitted to shooting Marti two times. The two other males confirmed the account as did a third independent witness. Hunter was convicted of the murder but paroled after 11 years.

Corporal Marti, 26, was survived by his wife, Doris A. Marti, and daughter Megan Christine. Corporal Marti served in the Marines from 1956 to 1958 and joined the police department shortly after his discharge. Corporal Marti had received a commendation letter from FBI Agent Felt, special agent in charge of the Kansas City FBI office for his assistance in a case. Interment was at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant