James A. Kelly Jr.
Agency patch
Trooper

James A. Kelly Jr.

New York State Police — Albany, NY
Felonious
End of Watch August 8, 1980
Age 31
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 3621
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper James Kelly was killed when a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver crossed the double yellow lines and struck his patrol car sending it airborne. His partner, who was driving, suffered minor injuries. The 36-year-old driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and criminal negligent homicide. Trooper Kelly had served with the New York State Police for three years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

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.
Trooper Kelly gave the New York State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Kelly.

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

Agency

Type State Police
Location Albany, Albany County, NY
Platform Identity nysp.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1980
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 3621
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 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 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James 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. James had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York State Police has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years

Trooper James A. Kelly Jr.

New York State Police · End of Watch August 8, 1980

Where the Name Is Cut

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