Deputy Alejandro Martinez LASD, California End of Watch Friday, July 28, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Alejandro Martinez succumbed to injuries sustained on November 16th, 2022, as he and other recruits from Academy Class 464 ran in formation as part of their morning physical fitness routine.

The academy class of 75 recruits was running in formation when an oncoming vehicle veered over the center line and struck the group near Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road in Whittier. A total of 25 recruits were hit by the car before it stopped. Twelve of the recruits suffered critical injuries that ended their careers.

The Sheriff’s Office swore in Deputy Martinez as a sheriff's deputy two weeks after the incident. He remained hospitalized in critical condition until succumbing to his injuries eight months later.

Officials initially charged the driver who struck the group with attempted murder of peace officers, but charges officials dropped charges as the investigation continued.

Deputy Martinez was a U.S. Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for only eight weeks when he was injured. His father and sister survive him.