Floyd M. Melder
Agency patch
Deputy City Marshal

Floyd M. Melder

Glenmora Police Department — Glenmora, LA
Felonious
End of Watch March 20, 1970
Age 59
The Vigil Panel 106 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Marshal Melder was shot and killed while responding to reports of a man walking around shooting out street lights with a rifle. The suspect shot Deputy Marshal Melder as he stepped out of his vehicle to confront him. The suspect was apprehended a short time later. The 17-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On June 19, 1976, he murdered his cellmate by strangulation, and received another life sentence for second degree murder.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-D531137C
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy City Marshal Melder served with the Glenmora Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Glenmora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy City Marshal Melder.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Glenmora, LA
Platform Identity gpd.rapides.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 20, 1970
Age 59
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle
Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy City Marshal Floyd M. Melder 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Glenmora Police Department
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Floyd M. Melder's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Floyd M. Melder Compares

Age at End of Watch
59
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Floyd M. Melder is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Floyd M. Melder was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518