Richlands Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch: Saturday, December 21, 1963
Age:
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: December 21, 1963
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Sergeant Melvin Shelton suffered a fatal heart attack while working a traffic detail at approximately 3:25 pm.
After beginning to feel ill he hitched a ride to Norfolk Street where the police chief was also working a traffic detail. When he got out of the car he suddenly collapsed. The chief took him to Richlands Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Sergeant Shelton had served with the Richlands Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and four siblings.