Roll of Honor
Melton James Shields
Incident
Deputized Constable Melton Shields was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man wanted for stealing a pistol.
The county constable had deputized him and another man to assist with the warrant service. They located the man at his home and announced that they had a warrant. The man responded by turning off the lights and opening fire on the officers. Deputized Constable Shields was struck in the chest and mortally wounded.
The other officers returned fire and killed the subject.
Deputized Constable Shields was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day.
Deputized Constable had served as a deputized constable for only two days.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SC-1A0DC5FA- 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.
Deputized Constable Shields served with the Spartanburg County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Spartanburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputized Constable Shields.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputized Constable Melton James Shields 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 SC, 271 of 438 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.9% of this state's fallen. That is 7.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Spartanburg County Constable's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melton James Shields's cause is highlighted.
How Melton James Shields Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melton James Shields is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melton James Shields was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Spartanburg County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
