Grant County Deputy found dead in his home

EPHRATA, Wash.-- The Grant County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin was found dead in his home earlier in the day.

Spokesperson Kyle Foreman confirmed fellow deputies discovered 60-year-old Melvin inside his home after family members weren't able to reach him and requested a welfare check.

“Deputy Melvin’s remains are in the care of the Grant County Coroner’s Office and the staff will conduct an autopsy.” Foreman said, “Right now it’s still very early in this, and a lot of our staff are hurting. What we do ask is that the public pray for Jon, as well as Jon’s family.”

Deputy Melvin was hired in 1984 by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and was preparing to retire in early 2021 once he reached 36 years of service. In addition to patrol, Deputy Melvin served in a wide range of special assignments including the Off-Road Vehicle Unit, the Search and Rescue Unit, the Marine Unit, as a School Resource Officer at Wahluke schools in Mattawa, and as the community deputy for Desert Aire.

“Deputy Melvin was a well-rounded, highly-skilled deputy whose intelligence was outweighed only by his compassion and willingness to always help others,” said Sheriff Tom Jones. “Jon will be deeply missed.”

Any public ceremonies will be held at a later time.