Kansas City Police Department, Kansas
End of Watch Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Add to My HeroesRobert David Melton
Captain Dave Melton was shot and killed while searching for an armed subject who had fled from other officers who had responded to a shots fired call at approximately 2:00 pm.
As officers arrived on the scene, several subjects exited the vehicle they were in and fled on foot. One of the men was apprehended immediately. Officers began searching the area for the other subjects. Captain Melton was fatally shot when he encountered one of the men near the intersection of 22nd Street and Haskell Avenue.
Two subjects were taken into custody. The suspect pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and criminal discharge of a firearm. He received life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The 2nd suspect pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and criminal discharge of a firearm and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The 2nd suspect had already been taken into custody when Captain Melton had been shot.
Captain Melton was a Kansas National Guard veteran who served with the Kansas City Police Department for 17 years and had previously served with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office for nine years. He is survived by his three children and expectant girlfriend.
Bio
- Age 46
- Tour 26 years
- Badge 1799
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Life with possibility of parole
Most Recent Reflection
View all 209 ReflectionsMelton, you were one of my best friends and someone I greatly admired. It’ll be 8 years this coming July that you were senselessly taken away from all of us. I will never forget where I was when I’d heard of your murder, the impact it has had on me is indescribable. I miss you immensely and will never forget you my dear friend and mentor. There’s never a day that goes by that I don’t think of you and what an amazing force you were. Godspeed my friend.
Suicide Prevention Coordinator KSARNG Li
Kansas Army National Guard
February 18, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Police Officer II Colton Dale Pulsipher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: December 12, 2024