Take a look back at the career of former Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin, who held the role longer than anyone else, serving for 25 years.
Martin was first appointed to the role in 1998, and won election to his first term in 1999. He was re-elected five times, with his last term ending in January 2024. He died Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026 at the age of 81.
See photos from Martin’s tenure as DA, taken from The Morning Call archives, below:
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin poses for a portrait Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Allentown. Martin has served the county as district attorney from 1998 through the end of 2023. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin spends a few moments with Ramona, the office’s courthouse companion, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, left, shares a laugh with Lehigh County DA Jim Martin at DeSales University after his “State of Lehigh County” address on Monday Feb. 11, 2008. He announced a new program designed to put more police into Lehigh Counties highest crime rate communities.(Douglas Kilpatrick/Special to The Morning Call)
Allentown St. Patrick’s Day parade grand marshal Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin claps as paraders pass the reviewing stand Sunday, March 16, 2003. (Cesar L. Laure/The Morning Call)
During a news conference in July 2017, Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin pets and talks with Ramona, a female black Labrador Retriever, the new courthouse companion dog. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin holds a news conference Friday, Oct. 31, 2003. (Denise Sanchez/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin speaks to the media Friday, June 5, 2014, at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. (Chris Knight/Special to the Morning Call)
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro speaks about funding from the recently announced $26 billion nationwide opioid settlement during a news conference Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, at Pyramid Healthcare’s Lehigh Valley Women’s Residential Treatment Center in Catasauqua. Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin was in attendance. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call0
James Martin prior to being appointed Lehigh County district attorney in 1998. (Donna Fisher/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin poses for a portrait Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
While a bell is rung, former Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin and others stand silently for the traditional bell ceremony to honor and remember each life taken as a result of violent crime Wednesday, April 23, 2025, during the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley’s annual Victim’s Rights Vigil at Tree of Life Memorial Grove in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)
Gavin P. Holihan and Jim Martin shake hands Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 after Holihan is sworn in as Lehigh County district attorney by Lehigh County Senior Judge Carol K. McGinley Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Speaking outside the Bethlehem state police barracks Oct. 13, 2004, Lehigh County. District Attorney Jim Martin addresses the media after meeting with families of victims of killer nurse Charles Cullen. (Donna Fisher/The Morning Call)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, center, shakes the hand of Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin after exiting his new Straight Talk Express Boeing 737-400 at Lehigh Valley International Airport, Hanger 7, Allentown, Monday afternoon, June 30, 2008, en route to an appearance in Pipersville, Pa. On the far right is Cindy McCain. (Kathleen X. Cook /The Morning Call)
Allentown assistant Chief David M. Howells Jr., Mayor Ed Pawlawski, DA Jim Martin, Police chief Roger MacLean and assistant chief Ronald Manescu hold a news conference announcing the arrests of five adults and one juvenile connected with a series robberies in Allentown and adjacent communities at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006. (Cesar L. Laure/The Morning Call)
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin speaks at a news conference at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown on Monday May 20, 2002. (Michael Kubel/The Morning Call_