[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5905-S5906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CAPTAIN DAVE MELTON

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today I would like to honor the life of 
police captain Dave Melton, a law enforcement officer who served 17 
years on the force of the Kansas City Police Department and was 
tragically killed on duty earlier this summer.
  On Tuesday, July 19, Captain Melton joined officers in pursuit of 
suspected participants of a driveby shooting. Shortly after law 
enforcement arrived, the driver of the suspects' vehicle was 
apprehended. While following one of the other suspects, Captain Melton 
came under fire and suffered multiple gunshots. Captain Melton was then 
taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center where he ultimately 
died from his wounds.
  Captain Melton was described by Kansas City, KS, Police Chief Terry 
Ziegler as someone who always chose to ``lead from the front.''
  The brave sacrifices Captain Melton made to keep his community safe 
will not be forgotten.
  Captain Melton's history of service, both to Kansas and our country, 
extends beyond his 17 years with the Kansas City Police Department. In 
addition to 9 years with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Department, 
Captain Melton served in the Kansas Army National Guard as a soldier 
for more than a decade and then as an officer from 1997-2012. During 
the course of a military career that included a 15-month tour of duty 
in Iraq and a 13-month tour in Afghanistan, Melton earned the Bronze 
Star and numerous other honors.
  Captain Melton's law enforcement colleagues remember him as an 
industrious and professional leader. Described as a goodhearted man who 
loved his family, Melton brought joy to those around him and helped 
those in need.
  Dave Melton is survived by his son, David, two daughters, Sarah Wilt 
and Elizabeth, and girlfriend, Zeta Bates, who is expecting a child.
  I join the Kansas City community and law enforcement offices around 
the country as we grieve the loss of this fallen hero and pray for the 
Melton family.
  These feelings are tragically familiar. On May 18, I spoke on the 
Senate floor to remember and honor the life of Kansas City Police 
Detective Brad Lancaster, who was also killed on duty while responding 
to a call. Following Lancaster's death, it was Captain Melton that took 
the initiative to honor Detective Lancaster by establishing protocols 
for the memorial services of those killed on duty.
  I stand with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department as they work 
to mourn and recover from the loss of both of these men.
  Congress and community leaders must continue working to better 
protect the men and women who take great risk to protect the rest of 
us.

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