The city of Charleston will hold a press conference honoring the life and legacy of Charleston Police Private Thomas J. Martin at 1 pm on Monday, September 28th at the City Gallery, located at 34 Prioleau Street.
Private Martin, the first African American police officer lost in the line of duty in Charleston in July of 1870, is scheduled be inducted into the South Carolina Law Enforcement Hall of Fame on Wednesday, September 30th.
The press conference will highlight the results of recent historical and genealogical research into Private Martin’s life and lineage, as well as current CPD initiatives that honor and build upon his legacy.
Attendees are reminded to wear a mask and asked to practice safe social distancing. The event will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/CityCharleston.
Participants schedule to appear:
- Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg
- Peter Shahid, City Councilmember and Public Safety Committee Chairman
- Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds
- Rev. Rich Robinson, Senior Chaplain, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy
- Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton, Thomas J. Martin Research Project Leader
- Dr. David Goltra, Communications Director, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Delsa Biorn, Family History Center Director and Genealogist
- Grant Mishoe, Gullah Society Historian and Genealogist
- Johanna Martin-Carrington, great-granddaughter of Private Martin
