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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Des Moines Police Department has lost 27 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1977, 2 officers at Des Moines Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 2016, with 3.
In 1977, 2 officers in IA were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 25. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Des Moines Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45.3; the middle age was 40. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.2 years.
Brian was 25. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Brian was 25. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 18.8% of these deaths at Des Moines Police Department; December holds the most, 18.8%. Thursdays: 12.5%.
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 9.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 59.3% of all 27 deaths at Des Moines Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
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Edward H. Wishart Jul 1, 1891
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Augustus C. Becker
Feb 19, 1904
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Frank Delmege
Sep 20, 1909
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George William Mattern
Apr 12, 1918
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Charles Chester Jackson
Dec 16, 1918
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Cornelius J. McCarthy
Sep 27, 1919
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Ollie D. Thomas
Aug 20, 1925
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Gerald D. Pickett
Sep 24, 1925
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James A. Staggs
Apr 20, 1928
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Harry Ogilvie
Jul 12, 1930
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Rupert L. Shepherd
Aug 1, 1930
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James Joshua Cowart
Dec 7, 1931
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Harry Linn Booton
Dec 11, 1932
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Steven Tabor Howard
Mar 2, 1935
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George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
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Charles Thomas Andreano
Jul 30, 1964
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James Emery Rodine
Aug 13, 1968
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Brian Charles Melton
Apr 21, 1977
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Dennis Earl Hill
Aug 28, 1977
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Sean Wissink
Feb 11, 2007
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Roger Ray Hildreth
Feb 21, 2008
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David Allen Bowen
Sep 29, 2008
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Susan Louise Farrell
Mar 26, 2016
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Carlos Bernabe Puente-Morales
Mar 26, 2016
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Anthony David Beminio
Nov 2, 2016
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Joseph Morgan
Sep 16, 2020
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Phoukham Tran
Nov 2, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
