‘Never be forgotten’: Odessa Police Department unveils memorial for officer 1 year after July 4 flood death

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Tamlyn Price, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The Odessa Police Department has unveiled a memorial honoring Officer Bailey Martin as the community marks one year since his death in the devastating July 4th flooding along the Guadalupe River.Martin was killed while vacationing with family in the Texas Hill Country durin...

Why this matters in The Midland

The memorial for Officer Bailey Martin at the Odessa Police Department serves as a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those in public service. As the community comes together to honor his memory, it's worth noting that the Permian Basin's strong sense of camaraderie and support for its first responders is a defining characteristic of the region. The fact that Officer Martin's police badge was recovered and is now on display is a testament to the diligence and care with which his colleagues have worked to preserve his legacy. As Midland residents look on, they can appreciate the close ties between their own community and Odessa, and recognize that the loss of Officer Martin is felt across the entire region. The memorial will undoubtedly become a place of reflection and tribute, not just for those who knew Officer Martin, but for all who value the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers and their families.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 4, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

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This story was reported by Tamlyn Price at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Tamlyn Price, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 4, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

‘Never be forgotten’: Odessa Police Department unveils memorial for officer 1 year after July 4 flood death

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