Officer Killed In Kansas City Shooting Has Ties To The Area

A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer was shot and killed while searching for a suspect in a drive-by shooting, police said.  He had ties to the Texas County Dispatch Department

Capt. Robert Melton was searching for the suspect when he drove up to someone who matched that person’s description just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, police spokesman Tom Tomasic said. Before Melton could get out of his vehicle, the person opened fire, hitting the officer multiple times, Tomasic said. The alleged shooter was caught five minutes later about a block away, he said.

A police spokeswoman said the suspect was being questioned Tuesday evening along with another person suspected in the initial drive-by shooting. Police weren’t releasing the suspects’ names because charges hadn’t been filed. A news conference was planned for Wednesday morning.

A third person who had been taken into custody was determined not to have been involved and was released, police said.

The Guymon Police Department issued this statement:

It is with heavy hearts that we ask that you pray for one of our own Texas County dispatchers as she lost her father today in the line of duty. Our deepest condolences to her and her family. May Capt. Melton rest in peace. EOW 7/19/16.