Phillip J. Kelly
Agency patch
Patrolman

Phillip J. Kelly

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch May 10, 1939
Age 35
Tour of Duty 6 yrs 4 mo
Badge 6161
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Philip J. Kelly was shot and mortally wounded in a gun battle with two armed robbers in a tavern at 4623 North Western Avenue. He and his partner were sitting at the bar, off duty and in plainclothes, when two armed men entered the tavern and announced a robbery. As the two officers drew their guns, the suspects opened fire. Patrolman Kelly suffered a fatal gunshot wound, his partner was seriously wounded, and another patron was killed. Patrolman Kelly's partner shot one of the men in the back as they fled the tavern. The suspects summoned a doctor from his home and forced him at gunpoint to go with them to their apartment and remove the bullet. The next day the suspects were captured in Detroit, Michigan. Patrolman Kelly died from his wound one week later. Both suspects were convicted of the patron's murder on June 19th, 1939. They were both executed in the electric chair on June 20th, 1941. Patrolman Kelly had served with the Chicago Police Department for over six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his father and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kelly gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kelly.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 10, 1939
Tour of Duty 6 yrs 4 mo
Age 35
Badge Number 6161
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Phillip is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Phillip was 35. 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. Phillip had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Phillip among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Phillip J. Kelly

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch May 10, 1939

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W

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