Kansas Police Captain Killed in Shooting

Robert Melton is the 2nd Kansas City, Kansas, officer killed in 2 months
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 19, 2016 6:15 PM CDT
Kansas Police Captain Killed in Shooting
Capt. Robert Melton   (Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department)

A police officer in Kansas City, Kansas, was shot and killed Tuesday, becoming the second Kansas City officer killed in the line of duty in the past two months, the Kansas City Star reports. Officers responded to reports of people shooting from a car and arrived at the scene to see three or four people running from a vehicle. Capt. Robert Melton was attempting to stop one of the suspects when shots were fired and he was killed. According to KMBC, the 46-year-old Melton had been with the police department since 1999. He was also a veteran of Afghanistan. Two possible suspects have been detained. Police are still looking for two more.

“Kansans everywhere mourn his loss, grieve with his family, and pray for his fellow brothers and sisters in blue," KSHB quotes Gov. Sam Brownback as saying in a statement. "Every day they risk their lives to protect ours and we are grateful for their service.” In May, another Kansas City police officer, Det. Brad Lancaster, was shot and killed. Melton was part of the honor guard at Lancaster's funeral. “The tragic killing of our law enforcement officers must stop," KMBC quotes Rep. Kevin Yoder as saying. (More police stories.)

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