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Biography
Michael was a Lieutenant for the Merrimack College Police Department. He was a retired Lieutenant for the Salem, NH Police Department, where he served his community for over 20 years. He started his career in Keene, NH where he served for 7 years as a patrol officer as well as a detective and heroically saved a young boy’s life from a car accident. Michael was a graduate of UMass Lowell. Michael enjoyed skiing, golf, hockey, hiking, cooking, and cleaning, He loved being around water whether it was his pool in Londonderry, Northwood Lake, or the beaches of Florida. He was a true kid at heart. Most of all Michael loved his family and was so very proud of them. What I love and miss most about Michael is his child-like sense of adventure. We always said Michael was just a big kid. So many family vacations at the ocean, he was the first one in the water and the last one out. He was an avid skier and in typical Michael style, he would challenge us to ski the black diamond trails and try and be faster than our children Ryan and Erin. He loved to cook and even more than that he loved when people enjoyed his meals. He was known for his chili and his pork roast with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy. Michael also was a fun-loving dog dad. As much as he didn’t want to get a dog and the kids talked him into it, Michael spoiled our dog Chloe and she loved him. Michael touched so many lives with his friendship and caring. He left a lasting impact wherever he went. He loved deeply and was loved by so many. He will be forever missed and his legacy of love will live on in his children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
Officer Michael Kelly served with the Salem Police Department.
Thank you for your service. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Suicide
Michael is the only officer of Salem Police Department remembered here.
Michael is one of 3 officers lost to suicide in NH, 5.1% of the 59 remembered there.
Michael is one of 190 officers lost to suicide in the United States, 0.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 256 officers lost to suicide worldwide, 0.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 21 officers in the United States were lost to suicide, the 2nd heaviest of 31 years on record. The heaviest was 2019, with 25.
In 2020, 21 officers worldwide were lost to suicide, the 2nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 2019, with 26.
Who
Michael was 52. Of the 146 lost to suicide in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 50; the middle age was 43.
Michael was 52. Of the 209 lost to suicide worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 48; the middle age was 42.
When
July holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; June holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 11.1%.
July holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; May holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 10.5%.
How
Suicide deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Salem Police Department.
Suicide deaths account for 5.1% of all 59 deaths in NH, the 4th most common cause.
Suicide deaths account for 0.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 5th most common cause.
Suicide deaths account for 0.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 6th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Salem Police Department are honored on badge.nw.