Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter and Chief Deputy Eric Widmeyer last week honored two officers who were the primary responders to a violent domestic incident in July of 2025 in which a resident and child narrowly escaped becoming victims of an armed and violent assailant.
“Everyone thinks nothing happens here, but it does,” said Sheriff Walter, during a ceremony on May 6 at the county courthouse.
In the commission meeting room filled with uniformed officers from multiple agencies and family members, Walter and Widmeyer recognized the bravery and professionalism of Sheriff’s Deputy Malachi Butts and Officer Bradley Meacham.
Pictured, from left, are: Front – Commissioners Bill Clark and Sean Forney, Morgan County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Eric Widmeyer, Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter, Officer Bradley Meacham, Deputy Malachi Butts, Commission President Joel Tuttle. Back row: Morgan County 911 Director Marshall Younker, Deputy Director Sarah Henry, West Virginia State Trooper B. L. Beard, Deputy Chris Roper, Deputy Yoder, Trooper Meyers, Trooper Short, Trooper Warnick and West Virginia State Police Sgt. S. Smith.
Sheriff Walter said their response on July 26, 2025 to a domestic call in eastern Morgan County saved the lives of the resident of the home and a juvenile. Chief Deputy Widmeyer described the call, in which suspect Melvin Gallion was armed and had already shot multiple shotgun rounds inside the home, killing two dogs and threatening the people inside.
When Deputy Butts and Meacham arrived at the home, they “almost immediately came under heavy gunfire from within the residence.”
“Despite the danger, Deputy Butts and Deputy Meacham engaged Gallion with return fire, successfully diverting his attention and allowing two victims to escape the residence,” Widmeyer told the gathering.
Gallion was struck by police gunfire and exited the residence, surrendering at that point. The officers provided first aid to the suspect until EMS arrived.
Meacham, in the gunfire exchange, had been struck multiple times by shotgun pellets, in his forehead and his hand.
“The swift actions and bravery of Deputy Malachi Butts and Deputy Bradley Meachum directly saved the lives of the female and juvenile victim. Their courage, decisiveness, and willingness to place themselves in grave danger exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service,” said Widmeyer.
Meacham would have to have surgery to treat his injuries following the incident. He has since returned to work as an officer for the City of Ranson.
Gallion was sentenced to 56 to more than 100 years in prison for his crimes. Sheriff Walter said his department had waited for the recognition ceremony until the court case was finished.
Deputy Malachi Bitts was given the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Valor and Officer Bradley Meacham was awarded the Medal of Valor as well as the Purple Heart in recognition of his injuries.
Sheriff Walter noted that both men are expectant fathers, and the entire department was grateful that the officers survived.
Walter said in the aftermath of the incident, West Virginia State Police and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department showed up to assist and law enforcement officials in Charleston called to offer help.
Widmeyer and Walter both echoed that in their law enforcement careers, they have lost many fellow officers and have had to present awards for valor at times not to their colleagues but to the wives and children of fallen officers.
“We’re fortunate we have everyone here still in our family,” Sheriff Walter said.
