Trooper Philip C. Melley, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania

Trooper Philip C. Melley

Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania

End of Watch Sunday, November 3, 1957

Philip C. Melley

Trooper Philip 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 nearly 20 years and was survived by his brother and sister.

Bio

Age 41
Tour 19 years, 11 months
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Shotgun; 12 gauge
Offender Sentenced to 8 to 20 years

Most Recent Reflection

View all 12 Reflections

Trooper Philip Melley was my mother's (Susan (O'Malley) O'Donnell first cousin. She often spoke about his death in 1957 with my brother & sisters. I am planning a trip to Summit Hill, PA this spring (2017) to visit and gather information for my O'Malley family and try to find the FOP Lodge 65.

Susan (O'Donnell) Grahl
2nd Cousin of Trooper Philip Melley

February 12, 2017