SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley honored two investigators Monday whose hard work helped solve a 16-year-old murder case.
Jewel Melvin had been beaten and strangled inside her Crestview home before her body was discovered May 15, 1998.
In a press release, OSCO officials stated, "There were some initial suspects, but it took years of diligent efforts by Investigator Ralph Garret, joined in 2005 by Investigator Mike Irwin, to move this murder case forward to where it stands now: with the grand jury indictments of two individuals – Michael McCombs and Steven Earl Kimmons."
Okaloosa Sheriff Larry Ashley said, “Their perseverance in working leads, finding witnesses, and pursuing the evidence, was instrumental in bringing the case before that grand jury. I also want to mention the invaluable assistance of FDLE Special Agent Dennis Haley,” Ashley said.
“Due to the collaborative dedication and expertise they brought to this case, the Melvin family can finally see justice served and know that no amount of time would stop these investigators from trying to put the people responsible for terrorizing and killing an innocent senior citizen behind bars.
Ashley said the officers "exemplify the commitment to excellence we continue to strive for and have earned the Award for Outstanding Performance."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa investigators receive outstanding performance award for Melvin case