Patrolman Brian Charles Melton Des Moines Police Department Iowa Thursday, April 21, 1977  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Melton your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Hands now brother. May you rest in peace.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept. Clarksville, Tennessee
2008-05-27

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2007-10-23

Officer Melton,

As the anniversary approaches to your fateful and tragic death.

I never got to meet you. But as a friends of several officers at the Des Moines Police Department. Not a day goes by they don't stop and remember you & the others that have fallen.

I hope you are resting comfortably with the Lord. May you continue your beat on the streets of Heaven and shine down on the ones patrolling the streets of Des Moines, Iowa.

Tonya Stephenson
Former Des Moines, Iowa Resident
2005-02-24

Brian's death was the first I experienced personally, being at the scene and seeing how quickly a life can end was horrific. The Department and the town mourned the death of this young man for a long time. Brian was a happy go lucky kid who loved life and his job. The suspect was brought to justice and a SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA jury of his peers found him NOT GUILTY. The case was closed by ARREST.
Brian's badge number was 318

SPO William Trimble
Des Moines Police Department
2004-05-24

12-14-03, MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I DO NOT KNOW THE FACTS SURROUNDING YOUR DEATH, BUT IT DISTURBS ME THAT A SUSPECT CAN SHOOT AND KILL A POLICE OFFICER, AND A JURY CAN FIND HIM NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF POLICE BRUTALITY. BUT ONE DAY WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT A RIGHTOUS JUDGE WILL REVIEW YOUR CASE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.
2003-12-14

It's been 26 yrs since your tragic death Officer Melton. Not a day goes by that the people of Des Moines stop to remember the tragedy that claimed one of their own. I didn't know you but I heard alot about your story through friends on the department that were rookies on that fateful night. My heart goes out to those that were there and administered CPR and tried to revive you until medics arrived to take over. my heart also goes out to those that lost a friend, co worker, and father. May you and another Des Moines officer Moody watch over the rest of the Des Moines Police Department, as they will not forget about you all up there. Rest in Blessed Peace and God Bless.

Tonya Stephenson
Former Des Moines Resident,

Officer Melton was killed in a tragic way. In a park in Des Moines, Iowa there is a park named for Officer Brian Melton. In this park there is a football field, track, playground equipment, and a picnic shelter building. This was done as a memorial for the tragic death of a Des Moines Police officer. The community where this park is enjoy having family gatherings, and other occasions.

I didn't know Officer Mlton but, I grew up listening to how he loved his job as a police officer and his family.

Tonya M. Stephenson
Seaford, Delaware

former Des Moines, Iowa resident

Tonya M. Stephenson

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of god. Matthew 5:9.

Explorer
Des Moines Police Department