Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Melvin Miner was killed in a shootout with a man who had just murdered his own parents. The subject had been voluntarily admitted to a psychiatric facility but left and murdered his parents. Witnesses to the murder notified local law enforcement, who located the vehicle and began to pursue it into Norman. The pursuit entered the Lexington Crossing Mobile Home Park where the man drove into a cul-de-sac on Hippo Run. The man then exited his vehicle with a 12-gauge shotgun and opened fire on the officers as they exited their vehicles. Officer Miner was shot as he attempted to maneuver from his patrol car to find cover behind a mobile home. The man surrendered after shooting Officer Miner. The man was apprehended, convicted of all three murders, and sentenced to life in prison. He was released in 2015 as the result of failing health. Patrolman Miner was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Norman Police Department for only six months.
Survivors
He is survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-C2EB400F- 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.
Patrolman Miner served with the Norman Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Norman 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 Oliver Miner served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Melvin Oliver Miner 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Norman Police Department, 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 Oliver Miner's cause is highlighted.
How Melvin Oliver Miner Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin Oliver Miner is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin Oliver Miner was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Norman Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
