Trooper Philip C. Melley
Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Sunday, November 3, 1957

Biographical Info
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 3, 1957
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 8 to 20 years

Trooper Melley was shot and killed by a 16 year old juvenile who had taken three other officers hostage in Douglass Township, Pennsylvania. The three officers had gone to arrest the boy for threatening to kill his father. The boy managed to ambush the officers and hold them at gunpoint in a wooded area. As Trooper Melley went to their aid he slipped. As he fell the boy shot him with the shotgun, killing him. The boy then put the shotgun down and surrendered.

The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 8 to 20 years in prison on July 22, 1958.

Trooper Melley had been with the agency for 20 years and was survived by his brother and sister.