Brunswick Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Friday, April 11, 2003
Add to My HeroesMelvin Earl Collins
Officer Melvin Collins was shot and killed when he intervened in a robbery while working an off-duty job at a grocery store at 3915 Darien Highway.
Two men came into the store and attempted to rob it. When one of the suspects fired two shots past a female clerk's head, Officer Collins identified himself as a police officer and exchanged shots with the two suspects.
Although mortally wounded, Officer Collins struck one of the suspects in the hand and was able to subdue him with the help of two off-duty U.S. Marshals who were also in the store. The second suspect fled into a nearby marsh where he was apprehended the following day. The suspect was convicted of murdering Officer Collins in 2003 in Brunswick, Georgia and received a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Officer Collins had just graduated from the academy and was to have his ceremonial swearing-in on the following Monday, three days after he was killed. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour 1 day
- Badge 430
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 146 ReflectionsIt’s hard to believe that today marks 22 years. We wept. You are not forgotten. God’s speed my brother.
Chief Trey Drawdy
Former Academy Instructor
April 11, 2025
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