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Melton James Shields
Incident
Deputized Constable Melton Shields was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man wanted for stealing a pistol.
The county constable had deputized him and another man to assist with the warrant service. They located the man at his home and announced that they had a warrant. The man responded by turning off the lights and opening fire on the officers. Deputized Constable Shields was struck in the chest and mortally wounded.
The other officers returned fire and killed the subject.
Deputized Constable Shields was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day.
Deputized Constable had served as a deputized constable for only two days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputized Constable Shields served with the Spartanburg County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputized Constable Shields.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spartanburg County Constable's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Melton is one of 272 officers killed feloniously in SC, 61.5% of the 442 remembered there.
Melton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1930, 1 officer in SC was killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 119 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 7.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Melton was 49. Of the 243 killed feloniously in SC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Melton had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Melton was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Melton had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melton was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Melton had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 7% of these deaths in SC; July holds the most, 10.7%. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Spartanburg County Constable's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 442 deaths in SC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Spartanburg County Constable's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Melton among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Spartanburg County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.