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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.
Deputy Melvin had served with the Grant County Sheriff's Office for 35 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff Jon Michael Melvin died on December 11, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 60.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, father, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jon. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Jon is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Melvin gave the Grant County Sheriff's Office 35 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ephrata community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Melvin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Grant County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Jon is one of 19 officers lost to illness in WA, 5.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Jon is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jon is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 6 officers in WA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Jon was 60. Of the 19 lost to illness in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 58.5; the middle age was 49. Jon had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Jon was 60. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Jon had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Jon was 60. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Jon had served 35 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 15.8% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Fridays: 21.1%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Grant County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Grant County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Jon among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Grant County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
