Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Melvin Howe was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect on Highway 40. He and his partner made a traffic stop on a suspect who was driving suspiciously and matched the description of a bank robbery suspect. During the traffic stop, the suspect shot and killed Officer Howe and escaped. The vehicle was later determined to have been stolen in Oklahoma. The suspect eluded law enforcement officials in Kansas but was captured in Oklahoma. The suspect was killed in an escape attempt while in Oklahoma.
Survivors
Officer Howe was survived by his wife, young son, and father.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-D0898EA2- 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.
Police Officer Howe served with the Lawrence Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Howe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Melvin C. Howe 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 Lawrence Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melvin C. Howe's cause is highlighted.
How Melvin C. Howe Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin C. Howe is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin C. Howe was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lawrence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
