Bio & Incident Details
Age: 41
Tour: 1 year
Badge # 100
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 3/10/1973
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Acquitted
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Deputy Melvin Colebrook was shot and killed with his partner's weapon after the two officers responded to a domestic disturbance in an affluent part of the Valley. The suspect was found holding his child in an upstairs room. After the child was removed the suspect began to fight with the deputies. During the struggle the man obtained control of Deputy Colebrook's partner's weapon and shot Deputy Colebrook in the head. The partner was able to overpower the suspect and place him into custody.
The suspect, who was a bank vice president, was released the next day on an extremely low bail. During a highly publicized trial the suspect was acquitted of murdering Deputy Colebrook.
Deputy Sheriff Melvin Colebrook had served with the agency for 1 year. He is survived by a wife and three children.
