An Odessa police officer, Bailey Martin, is among several residents missing and feared dead after massive flooding in Kerr County. Heavy rain fell from Thursday night into Friday, dropping over a foot of water in just a few hours across the Hill Country.
Flash floods swept away RVs and cabins and surged into homes. Officials have confirmed over 24 deaths, with 23 to 25 people missing from an all-girls Christian summer camp located along the flooded banks of the Guadalupe River.
Bailey Martin: OPD Officer Missing After Flooding
OPD officer Bailey Martin, along with his girlfriend Jayda Floyd, father Bobby Martin, and stepmother Amanda Martin, visited a campground in Kerrville to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.
Due to flash flooding, their RV was swept away. Family members confirmed that Bobby and Amanda died in the floods, but no official word has been released by local authorities, according to a report from KMID.
Bailey joined the police force just over two years ago. Earlier this year, city leaders featured him in a Facebook post, noting he joined law enforcement because he had a “heart for service.”
“Serving the public was something he always wanted to do. For Officer Bailey, the most rewarding part of his job is helping others, whether it’s a minor issue or a major case,” the post stated. “He enjoys spending time with friends and family outside of work. His advice for those considering a career in law enforcement: —JUST DO IT!”
Family Fears the Worst as Officer Remains Missing
Family members expressed concern as they awaited updates on Bailey, fearing the worst as the search continued throughout the night, according to YourBasin.
Central Kerr County received over 10 inches of rain, causing the Guadalupe River to rise 22 feet in just two hours. A river gauge in Hunt malfunctioned after reaching nearly 30 feet, as reported by the AP.
The fast-moving water flooded homes, swept away vehicles, and forced people onto rooftops and trees. President Donald Trump commented on the disaster, stating, “It’s terrible. It’s shocking … We’re working with the governor. It’s a terrible thing.”
.@POTUS addresses the devastating floods in Texas: “It’s terrible. It’s shocking … We’re working with the Governor. It’s a terrible thing.” pic.twitter.com/0cgJNTp5zZ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 5, 2025
Additionally, at least 400 emergency workers are involved in the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Nine rescue teams, 14 helicopters, and 12 drones have been deployed. While authorities have not confirmed the names of the victims, they indicated that both adults and children are among those missing.
