St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 23, 1971
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: 1545
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 23, 1971
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Melvin Wilmoth was shot and killed while conducting a drug raid on a house on at 6152 Waterman Boulevard.
He entered the house behind a group of people who were visiting the location and identified himself. An occupant of the home opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle, fatally wounding Detective Wilmoth. Detective Wilmoth was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
Detective Wilmoth was assigned to the Special Operative Deployment Division and had been with the agency for seven years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.