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Incident
Patrolman Wilcox was killed in a motorcycle accident during a vehicle pursuit in the 1400 block of West 26th Street near Washington Avenue. He was chasing a suspect when a pickup truck pulled out in front of him, causing a collision.
Patrolman Wilcox served with the Erie Police Department for 15 years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wilcox gave the Erie Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Erie community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Erie Police Department has lost 14 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Melvin is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melvin is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 3 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melvin was 36. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Melvin was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melvin was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.4% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Fridays: 13.9%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 21.4% of all 14 deaths at Erie Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Erie Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Melvin among them.
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James Higgins
May 14, 1905
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John T. Grant
Nov 22, 1912
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George William Schneider Oct 13, 1918
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Joseph John Jurcak Oct 16, 1918
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Richard V. Mahoney
Oct 31, 1928
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Leo Jonas Waldinger
Nov 26, 1949
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Walter Rynold May
Nov 30, 1949
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Samuel Angelo Macrino
Apr 8, 1962
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Melvin LeRoy Wilcox
May 4, 1979
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Robert Glen Owen
Dec 29, 1980
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Donald William Parker, Jr.
May 23, 1985
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Richard John Burchick
Feb 6, 1991
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Jason Michael Belton
Oct 24, 2021
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Gary Robert Taccone
Nov 3, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Erie Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
