A KCK police officer who was shot and killed came after officers responded to a drive-by shooting, Police Chief Terry Zeigler said.
Authorities say Capt. Robert Dave Melton died while reporting on an armed disturbance call. His death comes just after two months following the death of Kansas City, KS police detective Brad Lancaster who was shot and killed May 9 near the Kansas Speedway.
Melton was shot in his patrol car as he was approaching a group of individuals that matched the suspects’ description of that call.
SLIDESHOW: Kansas City, KS officer dies after being shot in police car
Zeigler said the shooting happened at 22nd Street and Haskell Avenue at 1:33pm. An individual said three or four parties were shooting in his direction. Officers arrived on the scene at 1:37pm. Melton was shot at 1:58pm, according to police, when he attempted to make contact with another suspect in the area.
Melton was brought to the University of Kansas Hospital before 2:30pm. Efforts to resuscitate him did not work, according to trauma surgeon James Howard.
A suspect in Melton’s shooting was taken into custody.
A spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told the Associated Press that the agency has about 20 agents on the scene. Spokesman John Ham said the ATF will provide help with ballistics if required, but are currently assisting with the investigation.
Ham also called it a “large crime scene.” Asked whether there’s evidence that the officers on the scene were ambushed, Ham said he didn’t know, adding, “The investigation needs to play out before that can be determined.”
A witness told KCTV5 four gun shots were fired, then three more after the car left the scene.
Denise Brown, a resident of Juniper Gardens, came home following the shooting.
“To come home and see this yellow tape in front of my house is very scary,” she said. “It’s getting too close. Their shooting just gets too close. My son sleeps in here.”
Brown says her one-year-old son lives there and a shell casing was found near their apartment.
Shell casings from the original crime, one that targeted a civilian, were found in the area.
City and federal law enforcement officers gathered at the scene.
Neighboring law enforcement agencies mourn loss of another officer
A number of police departments quickly reacted to the news.
Kansas City, MO Police Department:
Condolences don’t seem enough anymore. Our friends and neighbors across the state line, the Kansas City Kansas Police Department – KCKPD, lost another officer in the line of duty today – their second this year. Another protector’s family is grieving. Another police department is hurting. We all are. We stand ready to assist our neighbors in any way possible.
Also, we appreciate all the support we’ve received from members of our community lately. That’s what we need to get through moments like this. As you saw on Chief Forté’s blog that we posted here earlier today, these are scary times for police and their families. Your prayers and support really mean the world right now. And they mean a lot to our friends and colleagues in KCK, Baton Rouge, Dallas and around the country, as well.
Raytown Police Department:
Just an hour ago, there was loud laughter and jokes in the hallway of RPD. After hearing the news from KCK, you can hear a pin drop. We’re standing with, and praying for, our brothers and sisters with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office:
KCK Police Captain Robert Melton was shot while trying to arrest a suspect today. He died at KU Hospital at 2:55PM. Two suspects are in custody, while Officers look for one or two more. Prayers for all at KCKPD. Losing two officers in two months is too much to bear. May God help us all.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office:
A hero is an ordinary person facing extraordinary circumstances, and acting with courage, honor and self-sacrifice. May Captain Robert Melton of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Rest in Peace.
Chillicothe Police Department:
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kansas City Kansas Police Department. We also send our condolences to the family of the Captain who had his life taken from him. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of god”
A community reacts to another loss
Unified Government Mayor/CEO Mark Holland asked the community to support the men and women who serve the city each day.
“We ask everyone to be just prayerful,” Holland said. “We have a lot of grief already, but for this to strike again with a lot of energy and a lot of pain. Don’t jump to conclusions. We have to investigate and get the facts.”
US Rep. Kevin Yoder said the killing of law enforcement officers must stop.
“For the second time in only two months the Kansas City Kansas Police Department is dealing with the tragic loss of one of its own,” Yoder said in a statement. “Brooke and I join the entire KCK community in praying for Captain Robert Melton and our heartfelt sympathies go out to the broken-hearted family he leaves behind. We want to thank the doctors and nurses at KU Hospital who did everything in their power to try and save his life and hope we can all honor his memory by coming together as a community. The tragic killing of our law enforcement officers must stop.”
Melton’s career in Wyandotte County
Melton had a long history of service to Wyandotte County. He had served as captain of the Kansas City, KS Police Department since May 2015. Before then, he was a KCK police sergeant for over eight years.
Melton was a police lieutenant with the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office from Nov. 1990-Dec. 1999, later joining the KCKPD as a patrol officer from Dec. 1999-Nov. 2006. From 2007-2012, he was in the Kansas National Guard.
Melton was also deployed to combat in Afghanistan.
– Newschannel 6
