Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain Dave Melton was shot and killed while searching for an armed subject who had fled from other officers who had responded to a shots fired call at approximately 2:00 pm.
As officers arrived on the scene, several subjects exited the vehicle they were in and fled on foot. One of the men was apprehended immediately. Officers began searching the area for the other subjects. Captain Melton was fatally shot when he encountered one of the men near the intersection of 22nd Street and Haskell Avenue.
Two subjects were taken into custody. The suspect pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and criminal discharge of a firearm. He received life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The 2nd suspect pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and criminal discharge of a firearm and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The 2nd suspect had already been taken into custody when Captain Melton had been shot.
Captain Melton was a Kansas National Guard veteran who served with the Kansas City Police Department for 17 years and had previously served with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children and expectant girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-70B885F5- 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.
Captain Melton gave the Kansas City Police Department 26 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert David Melton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Captain Robert David 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kansas City Police Dept., 16 of 20 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert David Melton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert David Melton Compares
Offender Outcome
Life with possibility of parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert David Melton is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert David Melton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
19 officers from Kansas City Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
