Prev
Incident
Location: Kentucky Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber Offender: Not available
Special Agent Richard Kelly was shot and killed in the Illinois Central Railroad yards in Paducah, Kentucky, while searching a train for thieves.
He had observed a rope hanging over a boxcar that had entered the yards. He and two railroad workers opened the locked boxcar to inspect it but were surprised by several people inside. One of the occupants opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Special Agent Kelly in the chest. All of the subjects then fled the area on foot.
Investigators believed at the time that the men had entered the boxcar in another city to steal liquor but became trapped inside when the train suddenly moved and engaged an automatic lock on the door. It is not known if the suspects were ever apprehended.
Special Agent Kelly had previously served with the Paducah Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, infant daughter, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmhbp97gnw85rx12f9gm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Kelly served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1936, with 2.
In 1935, 9 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 31. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 36; the middle age was 35.
Richard was 31. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Richard was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Richard was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 10% of these deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department; February holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
-
Matthew E. McGrath
Aug 8, 1903
-
Victor C. Benner Dec 7, 1911
-
Cyrus E. Van Sickle Feb 11, 1916
-
Louis Edward Baum Jul 27, 1927
-
Joseph J. Kucera, Jr. Apr 29, 1929
-
Christopher O. McClure Feb 17, 1931
-
Frank M. Bolen
Apr 26, 1933
-
Richard Kelly May 30, 1935
-
Roy Dale Zearfoss
Jul 17, 1936
-
William Urban Sprous Sep 13, 1936
-
John Ben Merz Oct 11, 1949
-
Jess Anderson
Sep 11, 1950
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
