Melton’s murder came at the heels of an onslaught of officer deaths, the thirteenth officer killed in the line of duty this month alone, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks deaths of law enforcement officers. Melton tried to cut him off with his police auto, but the suspect pulled out his gun and opened fire.
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Local media said Police Captain Robert David Melton, 46, was shot multiple times in his patrol auto by a suspect who jumped out of his vehicle. He took the driver into custody without incident.
Police said 46-year-old Capt. Robert Melton was gunned down while investigating report of a drive-by shooting, the Imperial Valley Press reports.
A surgeon in the Kansas City, Kansas, area says that the officer who was shot multiple times by suspects in an earlier shooting has died.
Kansas City Mayor Mark Holland asked for people not to jump to conclusions and wait for an investigation to answer why the officer was killed.
According to NBC News, Melton’s is the second instance of a law enforcement officer’s death this year in the municipality, as detective Brad Lancaster was killed by gunfire in May during a high-speed chase.
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Wagle cited Obama’s public comments about shootings by police in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which were followed by deadly attacks on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Melton’s “death reopens a raw hurt still festering within our community”, Holland said.
The police chief in Kansas City, Kansas, says the officer who died was shot several times through his window.
Effective immediately; In support of the officer’s family and in support of our brothers and sisters at the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, all personnel of the Texas County Sheriff’s Department shall wear a black mourning band over their department badge.
At police headquarters, people have been leaving cards and flowers. Kathryn Courtney brought a bouquet of yellow daisies Wednesday. She said she had known Melton for almost 20 years, describing him as “born to protect and serve” and “a wonderful man with a heart of gold”.
Police said in a news release that Melton’s relatives are asking for privacy. When officers arrived, someone fled from the vehicle. “Our hearts go out to Captain Melton’s family and loved ones, and to all those who are suffering in this time of grief”. A third person who had been taken into custody was determined not to have been involved and was released, police said.
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Melton was following up on reports of a drive-by shooting when he tried to cut off a suspect.
