Bio & Incident Details
Age: 34
Tour: 9 years
Badge # Not available
Cause: Gunfire
Location: Utah
Incident Date: 8/23/1918
Weapon: Rifle
Suspect: Sentenced to life
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Ranger Mellenthin was shot and killed when he and two San Juan County, Utah, deputies tried to arrest an Army deserter in the La Sal National Forest. When the officers located the man at a camp site Ranger Mellenthin advised him he was under arrest. The man appeared to cooperate but suddenly raised his rifle and shot Ranger Mellenthin twice at a range for 5-feet. A friend of the suspect also opened fire, striking Ranger Mellenthin once in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Ranger Mellenthin was able to return fire and wounded the suspect.
The two deputies went for backup and a large posse was sent to the site. The two men were apprehended and charged with murder in Grand County after receiving a change of venue. The original suspect was sentenced to life but paroled after only six years. The second suspect was convicted but later had his conviction overturned.
Ranger Mellenthin had been with the agency for nine years and was survived by his wife and children.
