Roll of Honor
Incident
United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Prohibition Unit, U.S. Government
Chief of Police James Melvin and Federal Prohibition Agent J. H. Reynolds were shot and killed while searching for an illegal still in Johnson County, Kentucky.
A group of five suspects opened fire on the officers, killing Chief Melvin and Agent Reynolds, and wounding a county deputy. Four suspects were apprehended and charged with murder. Two were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. One was pardoned by Governor Fields on December 23, 1926, and the other was eventually released. The fifth suspect was apprehended in St. Petersburg, Florida, January 17, 1922. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life,
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3994FF6E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Melvin served with the Paintsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paintsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Melvin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Melvin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,787 officers honored here.
In KY, 756 of 984 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Paintsville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Melvin's cause is highlighted.
How James Melvin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Melvin is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Melvin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Paintsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.