Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Mark Holland publicly apologized to the family of police Captain Dave Melton Thursday night for comments he made the morning after he died.
To start the Wyandotte County Commissioners meeting Thursday, Holland addressed Lynn and John Melton, the sister-in-law and brother of the late police captain.
"As a pastor and mayor, I would never introduce controversial comments during a time a grief and for that I am deeply sorry," Holland said.
Lynn Melton said she waited nearly two months to hear those words, but was saddened Holland left out Melton's fellow first responders and members of the community.
"Of course I wanted him to say he was sorry, but I wanted him to address everyone that was offended not just us," she said. "When you offend the firefighters, police and community, that offends us too."
The comment that upset many people came the morning after Melton died.
Holland spoke at a press conference and addressed violence across the nation, including "the loss of innocent lives at the hand of police."
Melton said it was not the time or place for that comment.
“He told us when he met him that he wrote that statement. He rehearsed those words, it wasn’t like he was shooting off his cuff," she said. "He prepared that and it offended us he would use a national platform that really had nothing to do with the loss of our family member, Captain Melton.”
She wasn't given the chance to speak at the meeting Thursday, but said she is thankful for the community's support since July 19.
"We still get notes and people stop by and say they are thinking about us. Or we run into people and anything we need, they are there for us. They are taking care of the kids. The community has just been unbelievable," Lynn said.
Holland's full apology is below:"I was honored to have the opportunity a few weeks ago to sit down with John and Lynn Melton. I appreciate their taking the time and initiative to share their hearts with me. I felt the dialogue was very helpful. Following our conversation, I want to publicly reiterate my apology to them for the timing of my remarks during the press conference following the death of their brother Captain Dave Melton, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. As both a pastor and mayor, I would never intentionally introduce controversial comments during a time of grief. For that, I am deeply sorry. The focus remains that Dave Melton is a hero. He is a hero to our country for his service in the military, and a hero to our community , giving his life to keep us safe."
