KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department and family of Captain Dave Melton are preparing for an emotional weekend.
Friday marks three years since his murder.
July 19, 2016 was the last time Melton walked through the doors at the police department. It was also the day Zeta Bates lost the man she loved.
“I can’t believe it has been that long. So much has happened in that time, but you know, thinking about it, it still takes me right back there to that day,” Bates said.
Officers, community bid tearful farewell to Capt. Robert 'Dave' Melton
Public funeral services were held Saturday, July 24, 2016 at Children's Mercy Park to honor KCK police captain Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty Tuesday, July 19.
Many police officers and military personnel from across the country traveled to Kansas City to support KCKPD during their time of grieving.
Members of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department carried Melton's casket to the center of Children's Mercy Park as community members and family honored the fallen captain.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department had to bury another one of its brothers for the second time since Det. Brad Lancaster was killed in the line of duty in May.
Thousands lined the route of Melton's processional from Children's Mercy Park to his final resting place a Leavenworth National Cemetary in solidarity with KCKPD and the Melton family.
Thousands lined streets with signs and American flags to pay their respects to Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton, his family and fellow officers.
Thousands lined streets with signs and American flags to pay their respects to Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton, his family and fellow officers.
In an emotional exchange, a KCK police officer hands off an American flag to Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's partner.
At Leavenworth National Cemetery, Capt. Melton's family grieves the loss of their beloved husband, father, brother and hero.
Community members stood in solidarity with local police by lining the streets of Kansas City with American flags.
Community members of all ages showed out to support KCKPD and Capt. Melton's family on Saturday as the city mourns the loss of another law enforcement officer.
Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton was laid to rest at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
In May, Melton wrote a guide for officer funeral services after Det. Brad Lancaster was killed. The same guide was used to plan his own funeral.
In May, Melton wrote a guide for officer funeral services after Det. Brad Lancaster was killed. The same guide was used to plan his own funeral.
Some stoic with sadness and others choking back tears, Melton's fellow officers said their final goodbyes to their captain.
In times of tragedy, time itself can move fast and slow all at once.
“Hearing a song, seeing a specific person, being in a specific place," Bates said. “It’s crazy it has been three years.”
Melton was shot and killed tracking down suspects after a drive by shooting.
“It goes fast at times,” said John Melton who laid his younger brother to rest. “But this is a time of year when me and David would be working around the house or doing things together, and now we’re not.”
Instead, there’s now a replica of Melton’s badge and a framed picture of the veteran and captain he once was.
“I think that picture really shows David. It shows him as – standing there – as the captain of the police department – that he is chest out, shoulders pulled back,” John Melton said.
Inside her home are reminders of a different kind, like a T-shirt quilt.
“It really shows who he was. He has his Harleys and his vet stuff and his shift stuff,” Bates said.
But T-shirts aren’t all that Melton left behind.
Thousands gather to pay last respects to KCK Capt. Robert 'Dave' Melton
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
Veteran groups at Children's Mercy Park with flags to honor Cpt. Melton.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
In a slideshow that played before KCK Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral on Saturday, attendees were shown his personality and those who loved him.
In a slideshow that played before KCK Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral on Saturday, attendees were shown his personality and those who loved him.
In a slideshow that played before KCK Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral on Saturday, attendees were shown his personality and those who loved him.
In a slideshow that played before KCK Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral on Saturday, attendees were shown his personality and those who loved him.
In a slideshow that played before KCK Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral on Saturday, attendees were shown his personality and those who loved him.
Many in attendance Saturday wore Capt. Melton's badge number.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
KCK Chief Terry Zeigler gets emotional while speaking at the funeral for Capt. Melton.
KCK Chief Terry Zeigler gets emotional while speaking at the funeral for Capt. Melton.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
KCKPD Officer Danon Vaughn sings Amazing Grace at Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's funeral service. He also sang during the funeral for Det. Brad Lancaster.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
KCKPD Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton's brothers speak: "God speed, good friend. Your mission is complete, sir. We will take it from here."
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
A final farewell: Thousands showed up to Children's Mercy Park on Saturday to pay their respects to KCK Police Capt. Robert "Dave" Melton who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
“We tell her, ‘Oh, you look so much like your daddy!’” Bates said.
Eloise Anne Beck Melton is now two-and-a-half years old.
“She looks just like him, and it is amazing,” said Bates who was pregnant with Ellie when Melton died.
He never got to meet his little girl.
“Right after David was killed, we planted an oak tree … when Ellie comes over, we tell her we planted this when your dad was killed. We call this your dad’s tree,” John Melton said.
As Ellie grows and time moves on, the family knows she’ll be forced to learn countless lessons while wishing her dad was by her side.
“The idea that she won’t get to grow up knowing her dad is an incredibly difficult one, because it is not fair. It is not fair at all,” Bates said.
Melton’s killer is up for parole in 22 years. But, the family says they’re no longer letting him steal any more of their time.
Friday, they’ll share stories of Melton at his grave. It is something they’ve done it every year he’s been gone.
“As El gets older, it is super important for us to tell her those stories,” Bates said.
After all, her story is one that’s undeniably keeping Melton’s legacy alive.
“Seeing her is a wonderful reminder of what we had,” Bates.
“We’ll never forget," John Melton said.
The family says they will be at Melton’s killer’s parole hearing 22 years from now. At that time, Eloise will be 25.
Jamal Lewis’ parole eligibility has been controversial. This past fall - in a surprise move – Lewis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of felony murder resulting in a lesser sentence of life with the possibility of parole.
The family says Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree never told them that could happen.
When they angrily confronted Dupree, they say he lashed back. The family filed an ethics complaint against him.
“I don’t care if he’s the most perfect prisoner. On July of 19, three years ago, he wasn’t perfect at all,” John Melton said. “It’s God’s job to forgive – not mine, but he’ll never be the perfect role model that deserves to ever walk the streets."
The ethics complaint won’t change the sentence. They say they wanted it on record for future cases involving Dupree.
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