ODESSA, TX - A fundraiser is being held for fallen Odessa Police Officer Bailey Martin after he was confirmed dead in the devastating Texas flood that has killed over 100 people.
The body of Officer Bailey Martin has been recovered, according to Public Information Officer Steve LeSueur, 7News reported. Bailey was in the Kerrville area camping with his family over the July 4th weekend.
The fundraiser for Officer Martin will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum Barn A.
The location of the barn is at 4201 Andrews Highway, according to a press release from the Odessa Police Department.
There will be $20 hamburger plates sold to the first 800 people. Donations will also be accepted and checks should be made out to the "PPOA of Odessa."
The funeral for Officer Martin took place the morning of July 18th, at First Baptist Church in Odessa, according to FirstAlert7.
Following the service, a funeral procession will be traveling through parts of the city, and drivers are advised to expect temporary delays and road closures.
The procession will begin after the funeral is concluded and the public is encouraged to stand on the sidewalk along Grant Avenue and 2nd Street.
Officer Martin joined the Odessa Police Department (OPD) in July 2022 after completing the academy, where he had to wait until turning 21 to officially become an officer, NewsWest9 reported.
Chief Mike Gerke said OPD was the only department Martin had ever served, and in that time, he became family.
"Young, young guy, 23-years-old, came to us. Started our Academy even before he could be a police officer, so he had to turn 21 in the Academy. He did that, and he's been employed with us since then," Gerke said.
"He came to work for us in July of '22 and ... obviously, we're the only place he's ever been a police officer. So, yeah, this — this was his home, and we were hopefully part of his family. I know he was part of our family," Gerke added.
Martin's colleagues described him as quiet, respectful, and incredibly dedicated to the job.
He had no disciplinary record and had earned the respect of both his coworkers and public.
"He's a quiet guy, and he was very conscientious about his work. Just, we never, no complaints, no, no complaints from the public about him. Just one of those guys that, and as you hear more stories about him from his coworkers ... I'm just, one of those stand-up guys," said Gerke.
Martin's girlfriend, juvenile probation officer Jayda Floyd, remains missing.
His father, Bobby, and stepmother, Amanda, did not survive the flood.
His younger siblings, Ethan and Addison, were rescued and are now safely back home in Odessa.
OPD confirmed that Martin will be laid to rest with full honors.
The body of Officer Bailey Martin has been recovered, according to Public Information Officer Steve LeSueur, 7News reported. Bailey was in the Kerrville area camping with his family over the July 4th weekend.
The fundraiser for Officer Martin will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum Barn A.
The location of the barn is at 4201 Andrews Highway, according to a press release from the Odessa Police Department.
There will be $20 hamburger plates sold to the first 800 people. Donations will also be accepted and checks should be made out to the "PPOA of Odessa."
The funeral for Officer Martin took place the morning of July 18th, at First Baptist Church in Odessa, according to FirstAlert7.
Following the service, a funeral procession will be traveling through parts of the city, and drivers are advised to expect temporary delays and road closures.
The procession will begin after the funeral is concluded and the public is encouraged to stand on the sidewalk along Grant Avenue and 2nd Street.
Officer Martin joined the Odessa Police Department (OPD) in July 2022 after completing the academy, where he had to wait until turning 21 to officially become an officer, NewsWest9 reported.
Chief Mike Gerke said OPD was the only department Martin had ever served, and in that time, he became family.
"Young, young guy, 23-years-old, came to us. Started our Academy even before he could be a police officer, so he had to turn 21 in the Academy. He did that, and he's been employed with us since then," Gerke said.
"He came to work for us in July of '22 and ... obviously, we're the only place he's ever been a police officer. So, yeah, this — this was his home, and we were hopefully part of his family. I know he was part of our family," Gerke added.
Martin's colleagues described him as quiet, respectful, and incredibly dedicated to the job.
He had no disciplinary record and had earned the respect of both his coworkers and public.
"He's a quiet guy, and he was very conscientious about his work. Just, we never, no complaints, no, no complaints from the public about him. Just one of those guys that, and as you hear more stories about him from his coworkers ... I'm just, one of those stand-up guys," said Gerke.
Martin's girlfriend, juvenile probation officer Jayda Floyd, remains missing.
His father, Bobby, and stepmother, Amanda, did not survive the flood.
His younger siblings, Ethan and Addison, were rescued and are now safely back home in Odessa.
OPD confirmed that Martin will be laid to rest with full honors.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments