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Chief of Police Melvin Ray Lucas | Milton Police Department, West Virginia
Milton Police Department, West Virginia

Chief of Police

Melvin Ray Lucas

Milton Police Department, West Virginia

End of Watch: Friday, August 4, 1972

Biographical Info

Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 4, 1972
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Chief of Police Melvin Lucas was shot and killed while he and a local constable attempted to serve warrants at a local residence on a man and his son for assaulting a police officer. As Chief Lucas attempted to subdue the father, when he resisted arrest, his 23-year-old son shot him in his legs with a shotgun. Chief Lucas bled to death before help arrived.

The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on December 21, 1972.

Chief Lucas was a United States Army Korean War veteran who had served with the Milton Police Department for five years and had previously served with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department in Florida. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.