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Doyne C. Melton
Incident
Patrol Inspector Doyne Melton was shot and killed as he and several other inspectors attempted to apprehend 13 smugglers at the foot of Park Street as they waded ashore in El Paso, Texas, with 150 cases of illegal liquor. One smuggler hidden on the American side opened fire, as did the other smugglers. Inspector Melton was struck in the heart in the opening volley and died at the scene. The other inspectors shot and killed two smugglers and wounded another as they fled back into Mexico. Inspector Melton was a United States Marine Corps veteran and served with the United States Border Patrol for six years. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Conyers, Georgia. Twenty days later, on December 27, 1933, U.S. Border Patrol Inspector Bert G. Walthall, who had survived the gun battle that killed Inspector Melton, was shot and killed by smugglers in El Paso County.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrol Inspector Melton gave the United States Department of Labor 6 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Doyne C. Melton served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has lost 28 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
Doyne is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Doyne is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Doyne is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 2 officers at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 4.
In 1933, 9 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Doyne was 31. Of the 19 killed feloniously at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 33. Doyne had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Doyne was 31. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Doyne had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Doyne was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Doyne had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Doyne was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Doyne had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 25% of these deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20%.
December holds 10.3% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 13.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 28 deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 45% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, Doyne among them.
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Clarence Meek Childress
Apr 16, 1919
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Charles Lloyd Hopkins May 9, 1919
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Charles Gardiner
Oct 21, 1922
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James F. Mankin Sep 14, 1924
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Frank H. Clark
Dec 13, 1924
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Joseph P. Riley
Apr 6, 1925
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Augustin De La Pena
Aug 3, 1925
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Ross A. Gardner Oct 28, 1925
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William W. McKee Apr 23, 1926
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Lon Parker
Jul 25, 1926
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Orin F. Hush
Jan 31, 1927
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Thaddeus Pippin
Apr 21, 1927
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Franklin P. Wood
Dec 15, 1927
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Norman G. Ross
Feb 10, 1928
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Robert H. Lobdell
Dec 25, 1928
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Earl A. Roberts
Mar 24, 1929
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Benjamin Thomas Hill
May 30, 1929
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Ivan E. Scotten
Jul 20, 1929
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Miles Joseph Scannell
Sep 9, 1929
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William Douglas McCalib
Jan 7, 1930
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Harry E. Vincent Mar 25, 1930
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Robert William Kelsay
Jun 25, 1930
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Frank Vidmar, Jr.
Mar 24, 1932
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Charles F. Inch
Jun 26, 1932
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Philip Dryer Strobridge
Mar 7, 1933
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Doyne C. Melton
Dec 7, 1933
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Bert G. Walthall
Dec 27, 1933
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William L. Sills
Jan 17, 1940
Where
Military Service
Doyne C. Melton served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Doyne C. Melton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
