Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-0BCAA62E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrol Inspector Doyne C. Melton is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, 20 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Doyne C. Melton's cause is highlighted.
How Doyne C. Melton Compares
Offender Outcome
Two shot and killed, one wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Doyne C. Melton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Doyne C. Melton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
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.
