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Police Officer

William Joseph Melton

Selma Police Department — Selma, AL

Felonious

End of Watch March 20, 1933

Age 33

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 66 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 2

Incident

Police Officer William Melton succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on February 4th, 1933, while attempting to arrest a man who was trespassing on the railroad tracks along Jeff Davis Avenue and Maxey Street. Officer Melton had served with the Selma Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and six siblings. His father-in-law was the Chief of Police.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and six siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AL-70E900E4
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 Selma Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Selma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Melton.

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

Agency

Department Selma Police Department

Location Selma, AL

Platform Identity spd.dallas.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 20, 1933

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .45 caliber

Offender Not available

Police Officer William Joseph 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Selma Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Selma Police Department

of 3 officers

100% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% 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. William Joseph Melton'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 William Joseph Melton Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Joseph Melton 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. William Joseph Melton was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Selma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.