Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Hamilton was shot and killed while he, the undersheriff, and another deputy transported a prisoner from Oswego to the State Penitentiary. The suspect had been slipped a revolver which he was able to conceal. During the ride he produced the revolver and shot Sheriff Hamilton fatally and wounded the undersheriff. The deputy was able to shoot and kill the suspect.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-4D3541B5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Hamilton served with the Labette County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Oswego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Hamilton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Melvin Hamilton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Labette County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melvin Hamilton's cause is highlighted.
How Melvin Hamilton Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin Hamilton is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin Hamilton was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Labette County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
