For almost 13 painful years, members of the Jonesville Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation and several now-retired law enforcement officials meet. They go over clues, hoping somehow, some way they will uncover something they missed that will lead them to the murderer or murderers of Sgt. Greg Martin.

Martin was gunned down at approximately 2:45 a.m. Oct. 5, 1996 at a point on Interstate 77 southbound just past Exit 82 in Jonesville. To this day, it is believed that Martin spotted a suspicious man standing behind a strip mall on N.C. 67. He called into dispatch and stated, "I'm going to be out with a subject behind the shopping center here beside the Huddle House."

The Huddle House closed is now the site of a pizza parlor.

From there, it is believed, Martin followed the suspicious person to his vehicle and followed the vehicle onto I-77. He radioed that he was pursuing a 1996 red Dodge Ram pickup truck. He radioed for backup. His possible last words reportedly were, "I'm going to need some assistance."

The red Dodge Ram truck bore a West Virginia license plate. It was later determined to have been stolen off a Chevrolet Blazer that was in a transmission shop in Princeton, W.Va. The truck was stolen from a dealership in Princeton, W.Va., Ramsey Motors. Earlier the day of the theft, two men had come in and taken a test drive. It was believed they came back that night and stole the vehicle.

Renewed attention

On Wednesday, Police Chief Roger Reece, announced the FBI, which in earlier years had provided assistance, would be re-entering the task force. On hand to assist in publicizing this information was Shaun Flynn, the managing editor of News 14 Carolina, a television station that covers news within the entire state of North Carolina. The arrangement was made possible through the assistance of Amy Thoreson, the public information specialist for the FBI in N.C.

"Part of this is to renew attention to the case," said Thoreson. "They (people) may have already thought it was solved. This is to jar people's memories."

It is not the first time Flynn and Thoreson have teamed up to publicize current and cold case investigations. For Flynn, the media helping law enforcement is important. He said he hoped that News 14 Carolina will be able to help local media and the Jonesville Police Department in the investigation, especially as many viewers across North Carolina receive the station from the cable and satellite providers.

Such efforts have paid off.

"I did something similar in Oregon," said Flynn. "A broadcast helped catch a serial rapist."

Thoreson said that teaming up with News 14 Carolina has produced results that have led to arrests in other cases that had occurred in other parts of the state.

‘It’s a nightmare’

Jeff Martin, the brother of the slain officer, and his mother, Betty Martin, met privately with Reece. While they were in Reece's office, members of the task force were hard at work, reviewing and poring over information and clues in the Jonesville Town Commissioners meeting hall. Members of the SBI were headed by Special Agent L.W. Terry. They were assisted by retired SBI agents John Foster and Ron Perry.

A somber Jeff Martin spoke about his brother.

"If you needed him, he was there," said Martin.

Martin added that his brother had an outgoing personality, while, he, Jeff, was shy.

He hoped the assistance of the FBI would prove beneficial and that the fact his brother's murder was still unsolved was painful.

"It's a nightmare," he said. "It's frustrating, yet we're not ever going to give up hope."

Martin spoke words of praise for the task force.

"Everyone is doing their best," he said.

At times, Jeff Martin struggled to maintain his composure, especially when he recounted that he visits his brother's memorial almost every other week; the memorial was recently relocated to the Jonesville Visitor Center on N.C. 67, which also headquarters the police department. It had been located in Lila Swaim Park.

"It makes me feel closer," he said.

That was not the only gesture or tribute to his brother. Another one takes place at the site where the officer laid down his life.

"Everytime I pass the spot, I honk my (car) horn," he said.

In an interview in The Tribune from Oct. 1, 2008, Reece said it has been frustrating not knowing who was involved in murdering Martin.

It gnaws at him.

Optimism

"I never had the opportunity to know Greg, but working with his family, I feel I have," said Reece.

Reece is excited the FBI has rejoined the effort.

"This partnership will assist with its greater reach and resources," he said.

When asked by Flynn why the FBI had not been more active, Reece said there were a number of reasons, including that the case had gone cold and the lack of manpower. But Reece pointed out there has never been a loss of interest and concern locally. Several times every week, inquiries come in asking how the investigation is progressing.

Reece said he welcomed their concern and hoped that with the involvement of News 14 Carolina, which also reaches into neighboring states, and the FBI, with its national and international reach, the case will soon be solved.

"What I'm asking the public is, if someone came through the town and may have witnessed anything, or if the people in West Virginia might know of anything, to contact us."

Of particular interest is identifying two individuals who may have been involved.

"These two unknown white males may have been directly involved," said Reece.

He said that they told people at a gas station their vehicle broke down, and that they were trying to either get gas or get a ride. Reece said there never was a broken down car on the highway where the two individuals claimed. He added all this took place after the murder.

It is possible, Reece said, that the two individuals may have been the murderers, or were with the murderer and decided to break up, in order to avoid detection.

Reece also said that there is the possibility someone on the way to work to the business park on Candlewyck Lane may have seen something, or even possibly gave the two men a ride. He directed an appeal to anyone and everyone.

"If you know anything about this case, if you can help us with this case, we'd appreciate your help," he said.

That sentiment was echoed by Jeff Martin.

"Please come forward," said Martin. "We need closure."

Have information?

The case of Sgt. Greg Martin has been broadcast on "America's Most Wanted" several times. Anyone with information can contact that show by calling (1-800) 274-6388, or going online to: www.amw.com. The SBI can be reached at (1-800) 334-3000. The FBI may be reached at (704) 377-9200. To reach the Jonesville Police Department, call 835-5020.

Editor's note: Information regarding the red Dodge Ram pickup truck and the license plate provided from the "America's Most Wanted" web site.