Featured Kansas City Officer Killed in the Line of Duty Recoil Staff July 19, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. An officer with the Kansas City, KS Police Department was killed in the line of duty today. KCKPD reported an officer down at approximately 2pm. Initial reports indicate Capt. Robert Melton was shot after responding with other officers to a shots fired call and that multiple suspects are in custody. Melton was apparently hit, was transported to to the University of Kansas Hospital and succumbed to his wounds. Few aditional details are available at this time, though a police spokesman on the scene did confirm the officer's car was in the street with “blood and glass all around it.” No information regarding identity, gender or ethnicity of the suspect has yet been released, and Kansas City, KA Mayor Mark Holland advised the cautioned the public, “Don't jump to conclusions about this.” Capt. Melton was with the KCKPD for approximately 10 years; before that he served the Wyandotte Co. Sheriff's Office. He was also a veteran of the Kansas National Guard. This is the second KCKPD officer killed in as many months — Detective Brad Lancaster was shot and killed in the line of duty in early May. The FBI and ATF on scene and assisting in the investigation. More news can be found here. We don't know yet if this event or other events are connected to the recent shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, though attacks on officers seem to be happening with increasing frequency across the nation. Yesterday, for instance (Monday the 18th), a Columbus, OH police officer was hospitalized after finding shards of glass in his sandwich. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
