Patrolman Melvin Oliver Miner, Norman Police Department, Oklahoma

Patrolman Melvin Oliver Miner

Norman Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch Sunday, July 30, 1972

Melvin Oliver Miner

Patrolman Melvin Miner was killed in a shootout with a man who had just murdered his own parents.

The 33-year-old suspect was apprehended and sentenced to life in prison. He has a parole hearing in August of 2017.

Patrolman Miner had served with the agency for only seven months and is survived by his son.

Bio

Age 25
Tour 7 months
Badge 9

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to life

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 12 Reflections

Officer Miner,
It saddens me greatly to know of the sacrifice you had to make on this hot summer evening in 1972. I was but a 4 year old boy then and my uncle is the cause of this incident. I never knew him and know he has been locked away since this tragedy.

I have dedicated my adult life to a career as a Law Enforcement Officer, first as an Army MP, then as Deputy Sheriff with the Lane County Sheriff's Office in Lane County, Eugene, Oregon. I have been with the agency 26 years and hope to have made some difference to this world we live in, such as you have clearly made based on my reading the comments above. I have lost several of my Blue Brothers, in the line of duty and outside the line of duty. It hurts........

I am very, very sorry for the pain this insufferable, inconsiderate person dealt your agency, your family, your brothers and sisters and to Norman. God will decide his fate one day, meanwhile my hope is that he remains in the custody of Oklahoma State Penn.

Truly and Sincerely,
Gordon Wayne Gill

Sergeant Gordon W. Gill
Lane County Sheriff's Office

April 17, 2016