Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Chief of Police

James Melvin

Paintsville Police Department — Paintsville, KY

Felonious

End of Watch August 26, 1921

The Vigil Panel 41 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

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,

Rest in peace knowing that no passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice by your fellow law enforcement.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 26th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-3994FF6E
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Paintsville Police Department

Location Paintsville, KY

Platform Identity ppd.johnson.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 26, 1921

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Convicted of murder

Chief of Police James Melvin 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Paintsville Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Melvin's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How James Melvin Compares

Offender Outcome

Convicted of murder

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Melvin is highlighted in Aug.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Melvin was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Paintsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.