Las Vegas massacre victim remembered in Tennessee as hero

A photo of Scott Melton and his wife, Heather is seen taped to a basket of cards and letter before the funeral for Sonny Melton Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in Big Sandy, Tenn. Melton, of Paris, Tenn., was one of the victims who died in the Oct. 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) A photo of Scott Melton and his wife, Heather is seen taped to a basket of cards and letter before the funeral for Sonny Melton Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, in Big Sandy, Tenn. Melton, of Paris, Tenn., was one of the victims who died in the Oct. 1 mass shooting in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

By Associated Press October 10, 2017 1 min read

BIG SANDY, Tenn. (AP) – A registered nurse who died protecting his wife during the Las Vegas shooting massacre is being remembered in Tennessee.

At the funeral Tuesday for Sonny Melton, Kris Gulish said his brother-in-law was a hero. He called him a country boy from small town, U.S.A., who touched the entire nation simply by being himself.

Melton was humble, knew everybody, and was known for his grin, Gulish said.

The last act of the 29-year-old nurse was to shield his wife, orthopedic surgeon Heather Melton.

Dr. Melton spoke at the funeral to introduce country singer Daniel Bonte, who carried Sonny Melton to a truck, performed CPR on him on the way to the hospital and stayed with her after he was pronounced dead.