Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Philip Melley was shot and killed by a 16 year old juvenile who had taken three other officers hostage in Douglass Township, Pennsylvania. The three officers had gone to arrest the boy for threatening to kill his father. The boy managed to ambush the officers and hold them at gunpoint in a wooded area. As Trooper Melley went to their aid he slipped. As he fell the boy shot him with the shotgun, killing him. The boy then put the shotgun down and surrendered. The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 8 to 20 years in prison on July 22, 1958. He was considered for parole in 1964. Outcome unknown. Trooper Melley had served with Pennsylvania State Police for nearly 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-6FA9CFB0- 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.
Trooper Melley gave the Pennsylvania State Police 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Pennsylvania. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Melley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Philip C. Melley 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pennsylvania State Police, 34 of 87 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Philip C. Melley's cause is highlighted.
How Philip C. Melley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 8 to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Philip C. Melley is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Philip C. Melley was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
86 officers from Pennsylvania State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
