Melvin E. Dyer of Marshfield, 67, a Duxbury Police Officer, died on Monday, August 25 of injuries sustained in a tragic accident on August 16.  His life was cut short in the line of duty while he was protecting the safety of the public at the Marshfield Fair.

Officer Dyer lived his life with pride and integrity, beginning with over 20 years with the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of MSGT (E-8).  While in the military, he served as a Drill Instructor – MCRD in San Diego, Calif, Instructor at DI School, Instructor at Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Va, Embassy Duty, Madagascar.  He retired from the Marine Corps as a highly decorated veteran, serving several tours of duty in Vietnam and receiving numerous ribbons and medals of honor including the Purple Heart.  His career in law enforcement began with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff and with the Duxbury Police Department as a Special Officer.  Officer Dyer was a Firearms Instructor for Citizen’s Police Academies throughout the South Shore and a Safety Instructor at the Marshfield Rod and Gun Club, where he also served as President.  For 20 years he also worked as a Regional Loss Prevention Manager for LUA.  Officer Dyer was well liked and respected by all who knew him – a strong and caring man who will be sorely missed.

Officer Dyer leaves his wife, Bonnie (Wheeler) Dyer, daughter Melissa Elliott and husband Todd of Plymouth, son Michael Dyer and wife Anne of Marshfield, and granddaughters Samantha and Ashlye Elliott of Plymouth.  He leaves children from a previous marriage, Betsy Rabon, Jane Myer, and Bob Dyer. He also leaves his sisters Marlene Lewis of Nevada and Vicky Abramson of Minnesota, and brothers Frank Dyer of California and Kurt Dyer of Iowa. He was the son of the late Eugene Dyer, the late Frances (Cortez) Giordano, and grandson of the late Frances Cortez.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Sept. 1, from 2-6 p.m., at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street, Rte. 139, Marshfield.   Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 2, at 10 a.m., at Saint Christine’s Church, Rte. 3A, Marshfield.  Burial will be at a later date at the National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project by visiting the Web site woundedwarriorproject.org or to Mass Concerns of Police Survivors Kids, c/o Sue Fitzsimmons, 14 Upwey Road, Wellesley, MA 02481.