Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert Melton succumbed to complications of gunshot wounds sustained on June 3rd, 1981, after being flagged down by citizens and told of a robbery in progress.
He and his partner were flagged down near the intersection of Compton Boulevard (modern day Gardena Boulevard) and Vermont Avenue and were told that an elderly male had been pushed into nearby bushes. As they drove to the location of the bushes a male subject appeared and opened fire with a rifle, critically wounding Officer Melton. Officer Melton's partner was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Responding officers located the dead body of the robbery victim in bushes approximately 50 yards from where Officer Melton was shot.
Officer Melton never fully recovered and remained confined to wheelchair. Due to his weakened condition he was unable to undergo required heart surgery and he subsequently passed away on November 1st, 2003.
Officer Melton is survived by his two daughters.
Survivors
Officer Melton is survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-DDD5D491- 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.
Police Officer Melton gave the Gardena Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gardena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Melton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert D. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Gardena Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Melton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert D. Melton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert D. Melton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Melton was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Gardena Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
