Bal Harbour Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, October 17, 1985
Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 9 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: October 17, 1985
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer John Melendez was killed in an automobile accident while responding to backup another officer on a traffic stop.
As he drove down a downgrade on a bridge on Haulover Beach, the vehicle went out of control and flipped several times. Officer Melendez's seatbelt malfunctioned and the buckle broke, causing him to be ejected from the vehicle.
Officer Melendez had served with the agency for nine months and is survived by his wife and children.