Melton was honored Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with a moment of silence before before the Royals game against Cleveland.
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But while the shooting did not appear to be connected to the tense atmosphere nationwide, the city’s police chief – who has now seen two officers killed in a matter of months – said he was concerned about the consequences of protests against how police use force.
Melton was shot and killed Tuesday when he was responding to a police call. Two suspects are in custody.
Melton, whose partner is expecting a child, also leaves three other children from previous relationships, police said.
Capt Melton was a 17-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department.
Ziegler went on to describe Melton as a “lovable guy” who as well respected throughout the community and with fellow officers. Authorities say the attack wasn’t a planned ambush.
Members of the clergy joined law enforcement at the press conference to talk about ending the division and coming together to lift up law enforcement officers.
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle said that President Obama has “stoked the flames of anger and hostility” against police officers.. The violence left many on edge nationwide, as police officers in many cities were ordered to patrol in pairs as a safety measure.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback told a meeting of top lawmakers Wednesday that the Kansas, shooting was “a awful tragedy”.
Tomasic says he has been told a fourth person that police thought was a suspect might not have been involved.
Zeigler says the suspected vehicle fled at about 2 p.m. Tuesday and led police on a chase. He was 46-years-old.
Zeigler choked up at the podium as he thanked the community for their support.
He was killed when he encountered a drive-by shooting suspect, who opened fire on Captain Melton Tuesday afternoon.
The ATF has sent about 20 agents to the scene of the shooting. 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”. The suspected shooter is in custody. “I don’t have any more details than that”. Police weren’t releasing the suspects’ names because charges hadn’t been filed.
Police are holding a Wednesday morning news conference in the shooting death of Capt. Robert Melton.
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Patrol officers go out in two-person cars, but the policy does not apply command staff and Melton was in the vehicle alone.
