Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Melson,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Oceanside. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 21, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 21, 2020

Rest well Patrolman Melson, unforgotten.

Sgt. Albert J. Wysock
Delaware City P.D. / NCCPD Retired

August 20, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 26, 2017

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

March 19, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Melson. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012

Officer Melson,
I am in my office today working on our Annual Mass of Rembrance and with it being on Sat. Sept. 10th. - one day before the 10th anniversary of 9-11 this year we are making sure all the police officers are represented. Trying to do my homework, I came upon your name under our fallen officers. I was so touched to read the reflections to you and to learn 33 years after your death, you are on the wall in Washington DC-our cemetery wasn't here when you lost your life, but I am sure you rode by often where we now sit -it was farmland then. We do still remember you even if we did not have the blessing to know you personally. In my line of work, I ofter think how blessed I am - I get to help families in the most heartbreaking time of their life and they tell me about their loved one they have just lost. What a tribute to meet that person through those who loved them most. This morning I am blessed because I have read these reflections - My heart is with your family even today as I read this. Thank you Officer Melson for your service to all of us and for so touching my heart today...almost 40 years later.

Deb Mueller
Family Services - Gate of Heaven

May 4, 2011

Well Officer Melson, yet another year and again I was working night work the day you died. I wanted to send this sooner but I had quite a busy night. I guess you were looking down on me when I was calling for assistance on my complaint that night that lasted over eight hours. Please continue to be with all of us as we are all going through very trying times here at OVPD. RIP my brother.

Cpl. Kristin Miller
Ocean View PD

August 24, 2008

"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

December 9, 2007

Today I honor you in your memory....you will never be forgotten. Continue to watch over us in Ocean View as we carry on your spirit. I have your watch tonight.... Rest in rest my brother.

Cpl. Kristin Miller
Ocean View PD

August 21, 2007

Today we honor you and as always you will never be forgotten.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 21, 2007

Officer Melson you were great R.I.P

aaron driscoll

July 25, 2007

Thank you Officer Melson for your service and dedication to law enforcement and for giving the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duties. Even though I have never had the honor of meeting you, I had recently moved to the Millville, Delaware area and I have the utmost respect for Chief McLaughlin and the members of the Ocean View PD. You will never be forgotten and you will always remain a "Hero" to all of us. On the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC, your name will proudly remain forever as your memory will also remain inside our hearts. May God continue to watch over you and I salute you sir for all you have done!

Retired Assistant Chief Bill Healy
U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division

June 4, 2007

Thank you for your dedicated service from one Delaware Law Enforcement Officer to another. You will never be forgotten!

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 21, 2006

I was asked by Chief McLaughlin to chair the citizen's inquiry into the circumstances of your death. It was an amazing "high honor" for me, because I so distinctly remember when you died. Your son, Jack and I were in school together then. I was only 16 then. Today, as I write this, I am now 48. Just the same age as you, the night you went to God. It was so shocking to me that such a young guy could die, right while on duty protecting us all. I remember spending days in disbelief. So it meant so much to me, and I had a burning fire in me to find out all I could and do what I could to find out if you could be named on that Wall of Honor in Washington. And now, 33 years later, We've done it! When I sat interviewing Sgt. Murray and he related the night of your death, tears burned my eyes. Thank you, Mr. Melson! Thank you for being such a dedicated man, such a kind man. I know when you went to work that night to "cover" for Sgt. Murray, you had no idea you had an appointment with destiny, and would meet God. I guess it just seemed a humble shift to you. Don't know how you got the car off the road before you collapsed, but even in your departing this life, you made sure the road was safe before you went to God. Thank you!!!!

Robert L. Herrington, Chairman
Citizen's Investigative Committee, Town of Ocean View

February 18, 2004

I heard about your tragic Death from current Chief McLaughlin. He tried for awhile to find out information on your unexpected death. I am glad that your now being recognized here on ODMP. May you rest in well deserved peace and continue your watch from the streets of heaven. Here's a poem a friend from TX sent me.

The The following short take describes what members of the EMS, Fire and Police Departments, doctors and nurses go through every week.

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES
(author unknown)
I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine,
I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time,
I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight,
I don't want to tell it like it is.....
I want to tell them lies.
You didn't put their seat belts on,
you feel you killed your kids,
I want to say you didn't... but in away, you did.
You pound your fist into my chest, you're hurting so inside,
I want to say you'll be okay....
I want to tell you lies.
You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes,
I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind.
You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes,
I want to say that yes he will....
I want to tell you lies.
I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke.
IF you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke.
Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive.
Don't make me tell you that they're dead....
I want to tell you lies.
I want to say she'll be okay, you didn't take her life,
I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife.
You thought you didn't drink to much, you thought
that you could drive.
I don't want to say how wrong you were,
I want to tell you lies.
You left her for a moment, it happens all the time.
How could she have fallen when you thought she couldn't climb?
I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine.
I don't want to say she's paralyzed.....
I want to tell you lies.
I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain,
Because he thought it would be cool to try and beat that train.
I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life,
I want to say that he'll forget,
I want to tell him lies.
You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun,
Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done.
You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five.
I don't want to say she won't see six.....
I want to tell you lies.
He fell into the pool when you ran to get the phone,
It was only for a second that you left him there alone.
If you'd let the phone just ring perhaps your boy would be alive,
But I don't want to tell you that....
I want to tell you lies.
The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn,
And we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned,
Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, they were slowly burned alive.
But I don't want to say those words...
I want to tell you lies.
But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through,
And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you.
You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine.
I hope you understand, sometimes.....
I have to tell you lies.



Dedicated to all the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT's, Paramedics, Emergency Flight Crews, Hospital Police, Security Officers and all Civil Servants who deal with the tragedies of life and death. The saddest of all being those that could have been prevented.

The next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save someone that is loved.

We never see the tears of these brave men and women, but God does.

Say a prayer for each and everyone who is out helping to make a difference in the darkness of the shadow that has surrounded us. Support them and let them know you care.

Tonya Stephenson
Former Delaware resident

February 10, 2004