Roll of Honor
Melvin L. "Mel" Henze
Incident
Officer Melvin Henze was shot and killed while pursuing a suspect wanted for felonious assault. The suspect fled on foot as Officer Henze pursued him in his police car. As Officer Henze passed a building alley at 1025 Naeher Street, the suspect came out and shot him several times through his open car window around 1:30 p.m. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers. He was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison and was denied parole in November 2006. He died in prison on August 13, 2011. Officer Henze was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Cincinnati Police Department for 8 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his 5-year-old daughter and his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-30A02A00- 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 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.
Police Officer Henze gave the Cincinnati Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati 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. "Mel" Henze served in the Army (1968â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Melvin L. "Mel" Henze 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melvin L. "Mel" Henze's cause is highlighted.
How Melvin L. "Mel" Henze Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 22 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin L. "Mel" Henze is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin L. "Mel" Henze was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
