Roll of Honor
Bernard J. Kelly
Incident
Special Agent Bernard Kelly was shot and killed near Salem while attempting to stop a suspect's vehicle. Agent Kelly, along with two other officers, observed a vehicle pulling out of a dead end where a telephone wire had been reported stolen. As the officers pulled up alongside the suspect's car, an occupant opened fire, striking Agent Kelly and seriously wounding another officer. The suspect, 35, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder to avoid receiving the death penalty and was sentenced to 30 years. On December 15, 1944, his sentence was commuted to 19 years and was told with good behavior, he would be released at the end of 1945. Special Agent Kelly had served with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-4AE9D4E4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Special Agent Kelly gave the Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis 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
Special Agent Bernard J. Kelly is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard J. Kelly's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard J. Kelly Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard J. Kelly is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard J. Kelly was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Missouri Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
