Lawrence Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch: Friday, April 24, 1931
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 24, 1931
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Police Officer Melvin Howe was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect on Highway 40.
He and his partner made a traffic stop on a suspect who was driving suspiciously and matched the description of a bank robbery suspect. During the traffic stop, the suspect shot and killed Officer Howe and escaped. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen in Oklahoma.
The suspect eluded law enforcement officials in Kansas but was captured in Oklahoma. The suspect was killed in an escape attempt while in Oklahoma.
Officer Howe was survived by his wife, young son, and father.