Family, friends, fellow officers, and city leaders came together for a funeral service and celebration of life of Bailey Martin.
ODESSA, Texas — Hundreds gathered Friday at First Baptist Church in Odessa to honor the life of Officer Bailey Martin, who tragically died during the July 4 flash flooding in Kerrville.
Family, friends, fellow officers, and city leaders came together for a funeral service and celebration of life, remembering Martin not only for his service in uniform but for the person he was beyond the badge.
Martin, 23, died during a Fourth of July camping trip when flash floods swept through the area. His father, stepmother, and fiancée, Jayda Floyd, also lost their lives in the tragedy.
Martin joined the Odessa Police Department at just 21 years old. Colleagues described him as honest, curious, and full of potential.
“We have a young man and woman just starting their life. He was going to ask her to marry him,” said Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick during the service. “Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It’s time to turn to God and think of the family.”
Odessa Congressman Eddie Mitchell echoed that sentiment, saying simply, “Family is the word of the day.”
One funeral attendee shared, “I know he was looking forward to his new career and journey.”
Martin’s passing marks a solemn moment for the Odessa Police Department, which bid farewell as he left the department one final time. His legacy, loved ones say, will live on in the department and in the hearts of all who knew him.
A fundraiser in Martin’s honor will be held on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum. All proceeds will go toward funeral expenses.