In the winter of 1933, a dedicated police officer named William Joseph Melton, a 33-year-old White male, was diligently serving the community of Selma, Alabama. He had been a member of the Selma Police Department for four years, a position he took on after a period of service with the Birmingham Police Department. His commitment to his duty was well-regarded, and he was a respected figure in the city, even more so as his father-in-law was the Chief of Police.
He was a married man with a family that included his wife, parents, and six siblings who were a central part of his life off the clock.
On the cold evening of Saturday, February 4, 1933, Officer Melton was on patrol when he encountered a man trespassing on the railroad tracks near the intersection of Jeff Davis Avenue and Maxey Street. In the course of attempting to arrest the individual, a confrontation ensued. The suspect, armed with a. 45 caliber handgun, fired at Officer Melton, inflicting serious gunshot wounds. The assailant then fled the scene, disappearing into the night.
For over a month, William Joseph Melton bravely fought for his life. Despite the medical care he received, his injuries proved to be too severe. On Monday, March 20, 1933, he succumbed to the gunshot wounds he had sustained in the line of duty. His passing was a profound loss for his family, the Selma Police Department, and the community he had sworn to protect. The identity of the man who shot Officer Melton was not publicly available, and there were no immediate reports of an arrest in connection with the fatal shooting. The case, as it stood, left a grieving family and a police force mourning a fallen officer without a suspect brought to justice for the violent act.
