Bensalem Police Officer Chosen As 'Hometown Hero'

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA — For Bensalem Township Police Officer Christian Martinka, service isn’t just a profession — it’s a family legacy.

After nearly four years with the Philadelphia Police Department, Martinka joined the Bensalem Township Police Department, following in the footsteps of his father, who dedicated 35 years to Philadelphia Police, and alongside his brother, Thomas Jr., who now serves beside him.

That legacy, combined with his "exceptional dedication", is why he was named Bensalem Township Police Officer of the Year. It's also why he was chosen by U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick as this week's "Hometown Hero."

Every week, Fitzpatrick highlights stories that capture the spirit of service and the people who make Bucks County's communities stronger.

In just the past year, Martinka conducted 416 traffic stops, made 74 criminal arrests, and completed 831 incident reports — an extraordinary record by any measure.

But numbers alone don’t capture the integrity, compassion, and steady leadership that define him behind the badge.

Whether he’s guiding recruits as a field training officer or stepping up in critical moments, he has become a pillar of steady leadership and quiet resolve within his department. On and off duty, he demonstrates our shared belief that leadership means uniting people and elevating those around us.

As a volunteer coach with the Police Athletic League, he invests his time mentoring local youth, teaching them discipline, respect, and teamwork. Recently, he led the Junior Boys’ basketball team to a championship title — a reflection of the same commitment that defines his service in uniform. In every role, he proves that public service is not just about enforcing the law — it’s about protecting people, building trust, and lifting up others.

Over the past year, Officer Martinka earned seven official commendations, including Officer of the Quarter, a unit citation, and multiple awards for recovering illegally possessed guns — work that undoubtedly prevented violence and saved lives.

"As someone who has worked alongside law enforcement my entire career, I know how much we ask of these men and women. They run toward danger so the rest of us don’t have to, and Officer Martinka is among the finest I have encountered — his courage matched by his compassion, his skill by his integrity. Standing with our police officers means more than recognition—it means fighting to ensure they have the training, resources, and support they need to come home safely at the end of every shift, and I will continue to do exactly that," Fitzpatrick said.