Matthew Ryan Melton

How they died

Suicide

Officers knocked on Melton's door after receiving a complaint that Melton had cut his wrist and was about to cut the other. Melton opened the door, looking confused, and pointed a pistol at the officers. The officers retreated. SWAT and crisis negotiators responded, communicating with officers by text. When Melton's cell phone battery ran down and officers received their last text message from him, they forced entry into his apartment. Melton shot himself.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Matthew Ryan Melton, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources