Deputy Sheriff Melvin C. Colebrook, Jr.

Melvin C. Colebrook, Jr.

Deputy Sheriff Melvin Colebrook was shot and killed with his partner's weapon after the two officers responded to a domestic disturbance in an affluent part of the Valley.

The subject was found holding his child in an upstairs room. After the child was removed, the subject began to fight with the deputies. During the struggle the man obtained control of Deputy Colebrook's partner's weapon and shot Deputy Colebrook in the head. The partner was able to overpower the suspect and place him in custody.

The suspect, who was a bank vice president, was released the next day on extremely low bail. During a highly publicized trial, the suspect was acquitted of murdering Deputy Colebrook.

Deputy Sheriff Melvin Colebrook was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office for 1 year. He is survived by a wife and three children.

He is buried in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Salt Lake County, Utah.