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Incident
Sheriff Melvin Roof suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after arresting two auto theft suspects. He was transported to the Putnam County Hospital where he was unable to be resuscitated. Sheriff Roof was a United States Army WWII veteran. He had served with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office for nine years and as Sheriff for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Melvin is one person.
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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.
Sheriff Roof gave the Putnam County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Unionville 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 L Roof served in the U.S. Army (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Melvin is the only officer of Putnam County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Melvin is one of 32 officers lost to cardiac events in MO, 3.9% of the 829 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer in MO was lost to cardiac events, the 8th heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 2007, with 3.
In 1994, 8 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1994, 8 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Melvin was 68. Of the 30 lost to cardiac events in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 65; the middle age was 56. Melvin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 18 years.
Melvin was 68. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Melvin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Melvin was 68. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Melvin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 12.5% of these deaths in MO; February holds the most, 18.8%. Tuesdays: 12.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Putnam County Sheriff's Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 829 deaths in MO, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Military Service
Melvin L Roof served in the U.S. Army (1944–1946) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Melvin L Roof’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 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Putnam County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.