Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Melvin Colebrook was shot and killed with his partner's weapon after the two officers responded to a domestic disturbance in an affluent part of the Valley. The subject was found holding his child in an upstairs room. After the child was removed, the subject began to fight with the deputies. During the struggle the man obtained control of Deputy Colebrook's partner's weapon and shot Deputy Colebrook in the head. The partner was able to overpower the suspect and place him in custody. The suspect, who was a bank vice president, was released the next day on extremely low bail. During a highly publicized trial, the suspect was acquitted of murdering Deputy Colebrook. Deputy Sheriff Melvin Colebrook was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office for 1 year. He is survived by a wife and three children. He is buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah.
Survivors
He is survived by a wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-994200EE- Stewardship
- 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, salute.nw. One record, 3 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.
Deputy Sheriff Colebrook gave the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City 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 C. Colebrook Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1952â1954) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Melvin C. Colebrook Jr. 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In UT, 84 of 138 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this state's fallen. That is 60.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melvin C. Colebrook Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Melvin C. Colebrook Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin C. Colebrook Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin C. Colebrook Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Melvin C. Colebrook Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1952–1954) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Melvin C. Colebrook Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
