Jacqueline Craig's family relieved after Fort Worth police officer arrested in new incident

FORT WORTH — Jacqueline Craig's family expressed relief after learning that Fort Worth police officer William Martin, whom they accused of using excessive force during her controversial arrest eight years ago, has now been arrested for a new incident.

Craig's cousin Rod Smith vividly remembers the 2016 incident.

Craig called 911 to report that her child had been attacked by a neighbor. Body camera footage showed Martin responding by throwing Craig to the ground and arresting her.

Martin was suspended for ten days but kept his job while Craig sued the city for excessive use of force.

The case was settled and Craig was awarded $150,000 before her death in 2023.

“Money was never the goal. The goal was to fire Officer Martin and hold him accountable for his actions,” Smith said.

Earlier this month, on September 3, Martin was off duty when he said a man attempted to ram him with his vehicle following a hit-and-run accident on I-35W.

Martin fired shots at the allegedly unarmed driver, who survived.

On Friday, Fort Worth police concluded there was sufficient probable cause to arrest Martin for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Smith said news of Martin's arrest was a relief to the family, although the pain of the 2016 incident remains.

“It wouldn't undo the fact that it happened, but it would bring calm to all the chaos,” he said.

CBS News Texas obtained Martin's affidavit to investigators. In it, Martin described the events of Sept. 3 as “stressful and at times terrifying.” He said he acted within the scope of his duty under Texas law because no other officers were on the scene.

Martin's attorney said they look forward to an impartial review of the facts to determine whether Martin was justified in firing shots.

Meanwhile, Craig's family is focused on holding Martin accountable.

“We are finally in a position to hold him accountable. Now it is our job to work to get him fired and to get him held accountable by a jury of his peers,” Smith said.

Martin was booked into the Tarrant County Jail and released on bond. He is still employed by the Fort Worth Police Department, but is currently on assignment pending the completion of the internal investigation.