Brian Charles Melton

Des Moines Police Department — Des Moines, IA

Felonious

End of Watch April 21, 1977

Age 25

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Badge 318

The Vigil Panel 118 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 26

Incident

Patrolman Brian Melton was shot and killed at the corner of Bowdoin and Grandview Ave. after he and another officer arrested two men for public intoxication. While walking one of the men to the patrol wagon, a scuffle ensued, and an officer's handgun came free from its holster. The suspect picked up the gun and shot Patrolman Melton in the chest. The subject was charged with first-degree murder but was acquitted as the defense portrayed him as being the victim of police brutality. Patrolman Melton had served with the Des Moines Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IA-7A3C6800
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.
Patrolman Melton gave the Des Moines Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Melton.

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

Agency

Department Des Moines Police Department

Location Des Moines, IA

Platform Identity dmpd.polk.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 21, 1977

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 25

Badge Number 318

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Acquitted of charges

Patrolman Brian Charles 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Des Moines Police Department, 16 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this agency's fallen.

Des Moines Police Department

of 27 officers

59.3% Felonious

IA — Statewide

129

of 226 officers

57.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious