Malibu Volunteer on Patrol receives city commendation

By Judy Abel · Wed Aug 26 2026

Bill Melcher honored by Malibu City Council for years of helping keep Pacific Coast Highway safe

Those who know Bill Melcher wonder how he gets it all done. The Volunteer on Patrol has a ridiculously busy schedule as a third-year law student at Pepperdine, holds a job with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, works in real estate, helps lead the Pacific Coast Highway and road safety nonprofit Justice For Four Angels, and still puts in an astounding 50 to 100 unpaid volunteer hours a month patrolling Malibu on behalf of community safety. Malibu City Councilperson Doug Stewart stated, “I don’t know how he does it, but whenever there’s a bad situation everyone takes a deep breath and goes, ‘Oh, Melcher’s there.’”

Stewart’s comments came Monday evening at the start of the City Council meeting, where he presented the longtime Los Angeles Sheriff’s VOP with a commendation for outstanding service and for preventing two recent drunken-driving incidents which could have led to disaster on Pacific Coast Highway.

Melcher’s keen observations this summer led to two separate suspected DUI driver arrests. In one incident, on Aug. 8, Melcher observed a vehicle stopped at the shoulder of PCH near Cross Creek partially blocking a traffic lane. Melcher noticed the driver slumped against the door, extremely pale, and seemingly unresponsive. He immediately took action by swinging his patrol car around to block the other vehicle and protect the scene. Melcher approached to assess the driver and determined he was breathing but unresponsive. A passenger confirmed the driver had been drinking and may have taken medication contributing to his condition. Melcher immediately requested backup. The driver was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of DUI. Reading from the proclamation, Stewart stated, “Melcher’s quick action helped prevent an impaired driver from turning onto PCH, potentially preventing a more serious outcome. And it doesn’t stop there.”

Stewart, a former Malibu Safety Commissioner, described how Melcher spotted another suspected drunken driver from a 911 dispatch, maintained observation, and directed responding deputies to the driver who was arrested on suspicion of DUI. “Melcher’s exceptional work, sound judgement, and decisive actions helped protect the public and potentially save lives,” Stewart continued.

Melcher and other VOPs in attendance received a round of applause from the council and guests. A few of those guests were family and supporters of Melcher who have been by his side for the eight years of service he’s given as a VOP andall at just 26. He started at 18, continuing a family tradition of service to his community. 

The VOP’s uncle was a reserve deputy at Malibu/Lost Hills Station, and his grandfather, who recently passed away, spent his entire career with the LAPD, specifically working the traffic division in the San Fernando Valley. This family connection and his countless calls responding to collisions on PCH, including the quadruple 2023 fatality, carry meaning to Melcher’s resolve to carry on hands-on response and safety advocacy. He’s even traveled to Sacramento on his own dime to speak on behalf of traffic safety bills.

“PCH safety is incredibly important to me,” Melcher mentioned. “In eight years, I’ve responded to countless crashes, and unfortunately, dozens of fatalities, most importantly the crash that killed the four Pepperdine young women. That had a profound impact on me and changed my life and made PCH safety, even that much more important to me.

"Being able to help the deputies by locating, impaired drivers, or reckless drivers, or even playing our role on traffic collisions is very, very important to me. It's the reason I continue to work as a VOP.” 

Melcher also mentioned he was grateful his family, co-workers, grandmother, and girlfriend Lilly Bradshaw, another founder of Justice Four For Angels, were in attendance for the commendation ceremony, which he described “as a tribute to my grandfather.”

Malibu VOP Team Leader Mark Russo called Melcher an “outstanding member” reminding that not only has Melcher been the first on scene of numerous collisions, he also responded to the Woolsey, Broad, Franklin, and Palisades fires, volunteering countless hours during Malibu’s times of need.

Former Malibu Public Safety Chair Chris Frost called Melcher, “The best of the best,” continuing, “Bill Melcher has shown by his dedicated service to our community, an unwavering commitment to protect and serve at all levels provided to him. He is a solid citizen in all respects. Very deserving of this recognition."

Melcher concluded, “I'm incredibly proud to be a part of the Malibu VOP team. We have excellent leadership, and I'm very passionate about my role as a training officer where I help train a lot of our new members. We do a lot of really important work and we spend thousands of hours every year helping keep Malibu safe.  I would encourage anybody who enjoys service and giving back to join the team. It's a very rewarding experience.”