At a funeral service today, Capt. Robert David Melton was honored as someone who put others first and paid the ultimate price.
Capt. Melton died in the line of duty on July 19 in Kansas City, Kan., when he was killed after responding to reports of a drive-by shooting. The Rev. Chris Winn of Community Life Church talked about his service and the many lives he touched.
At the funeral service at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., hundreds of law enforcement officers turned out to pay their respects to Capt. Melton and his family. The service was in the morning, and by 10 a.m. the heat index reached 96.
Scott Kirkpatrick, president of the Kansas City, Kan., Fraternal Order of Police, said that Capt. Melton sometimes came off as gruff to those who did not know him well, but “he had a heart the size of this stadium.”
Police Chief Terry Zeigler said Capt. Melton was a “true hero,” not only in this community but in America. Capt. Melton previously was in the military service, receiving a Bronze Star and other military honors for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Capt. Melton had created the guidelines for the funeral service for Detective Brad Lancaster in May, Zeigler noted, and those were used in his funeral today.
Chief Zeigler said Capt. Melton, who served 17 years with the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and nine years with the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department, exemplified values of service, honor, integrity and professionalism.
“His uniform was always crisp, his brass was always shiny, his boots were always polished,” he said. His goal was that his officers always returned safely home to their families.
Larry Melton remembered his younger brother’s sense of humor and his leadership. He said Chief Zeigler’s words on Wednesday morning explained why David Melton was out in the field, when he didn’t have to be. “David believed in leading from the front.”
John Melton read some reminiscences others had of his brother. One of them talked about how he had helped buy food for homeless persons when he noticed they were hungry.
“Today, if you’ve come here to see grown men and women cry, you’ve come to the right spot,” John Melton said. “If you’ve come to pay tribute to a hero, you’ve come to the right spot.”
John Melton recalled that his brother once said he could fix anything with duct tape and radiator hose clamps, and he had made some repairs around John’s home with it.
“I wish I could find the duct tape and the radiator hose clamps to fix this tragedy,” John Melton said. He asked for prayers for all in law enforcement.
Chaplain Ken Nettling said that Sunday, July 24, has been designated as a community day of prayer. He requested prayers for Capt. Melton’s family, for law enforcement and for the community.
Signs were displayed that thanked police officers for their service. A cannon salute was held to honor Capt. Melton. Burial was at Leavenworth National Cemetery.