Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was working for OUPD when this happened and remember going to his funeral in Red Rock, OK. A very sad day for his family and Norman PD.

Terry Bidwell
OUPD Patrolman

September 2, 2023

Patrolman Miner,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USAF during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

July 30, 2022

Hey Melvin it's been many years since I received the phone call from our mutual friend. I dropped the phone and to my knees and I cried until I just was so exhausted I fell asleep. You were my dearest friend and love. I have moved on in my life but I will never forget your love or your friendship. Sleep in peace my love.

Kay Harcrow
Friend

September 15, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Miner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 3, 2021

Thank you for your service, both military and police, and please know that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 30, 2020

Mel,
We served at Bergstrom AFB together. You were a true inspiration. I attended your funeral. A very sad day. I went on to serve local, state and federal law enforcement, finally retiring as a Asst. Federal Security Director under DHS. Through all the street enforcement, even in Bush Alaska, I never forgot your level headed mentoring and attitude with the 9th TRS. God bless you and your son, who I heard entered into the Brotherhood/Sisterhood of law enforcement. As you said, there are the wolves, the sheep and the sheepdogs.
Rupert Workman

Rupert Workman
USAF, Nampa Pd, Ca yon Co Sheriff's Office, Alaska , DHS air Sec

September 6, 2019

Officer Miner,
It saddens me greatly to know of the sacrifice you had to make on this hot summer evening in 1972. I was but a 4 year old boy then and my uncle is the cause of this incident. I never knew him and know he has been locked away since this tragedy.

I have dedicated my adult life to a career as a Law Enforcement Officer, first as an Army MP, then as Deputy Sheriff with the Lane County Sheriff's Office in Lane County, Eugene, Oregon. I have been with the agency 26 years and hope to have made some difference to this world we live in, such as you have clearly made based on my reading the comments above. I have lost several of my Blue Brothers, in the line of duty and outside the line of duty. It hurts........

I am very, very sorry for the pain this insufferable, inconsiderate person dealt your agency, your family, your brothers and sisters and to Norman. God will decide his fate one day, meanwhile my hope is that he remains in the custody of Oklahoma State Penn.

Truly and Sincerely,
Gordon Wayne Gill

Sergeant Gordon W. Gill
Lane County Sheriff's Office

April 17, 2016

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 23, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

January 23, 2013

Brother,

Know that your life touched a lot of people & that your son turned out to be a heck of a man that I was honored to see him in the same uniform as you. From Norman PD, OHP & on to bigger & better things. Rest in Peace Brother

Corporal Kevin Austin #60
Purcell PD

May 15, 2012

Mel, I first met you at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas before you left the Air Force to become a Policeman. I heard of your passing, while stationed at Udorn AFB, Thailand. I was moved by your demeanor in the Air Force, which I replicated in my 28 yrs as a Policeman. I continue today as a training officer and have passed on your demeanor to twenty plus trainees for the past twenty years. This is how I teach people to last and retire with a positive attitude and hope your demeanor will impact generations to come in Law Enforcement.

Agent Dean Bowman
Glendale PD, California

January 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 9, 2008

You are a true hero. Giving you life for the people you were born to protect. My aunt knew you and told us about you. Respect and honor to you and your family.

Sheila Woodell

April 21, 2006

thank you officer miner

tyler holman 21 of norman

February 14, 2006

05/17/04

Each day I try to read the ODMP. Today I read your story. Any officer who dies in the line of duty will always be remembered for his sacrifice. You died a hero. Rest in peace Officer Miner.

Captain Robert W Cannon, Ret.
Vermilion Co, Il. Sheriff's Dept.

May 17, 2004

Hey Stretch,
It's been 32 years and not a day passes that I don't think about what happened that day.
Your Partner

Anonymous

April 23, 2004

I lived in Norman for most of my time my family respected the men and woman of the Norman Police Department. This Officer was doing a job protecting and serving the people of Norman. Officer Miner, May you rest in Peace your fellow officers are taking it from there.

Russell Rogers

April 19, 2004

Patrolman Milner ..You are a Hero in every right...Your sacrifice will stand the test of time and will never be forgotten! !

Anonymous

February 26, 2004