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Incident
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.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
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.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Lucas gave the Milton Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Milton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Melvin Ray Lucas served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Melvin is the only officer of Milton Police Department remembered here.
Melvin is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 3 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Melvin was 36. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Melvin was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 14.2% of these deaths in WV, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Milton Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Melvin Ray Lucas served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Melvin Ray Lucas’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Milton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.