James J. Kelly

Paterson Police Department — Paterson, NJ

Felonious

End of Watch February 11, 1922

Tour of Duty 26 yrs 7 mo

The Vigil Panel 42 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Patrolman James Kelly succumbed to injuries sustained two months earlier when he was crushed between two vehicles while escorting a DUI suspect to the police station.

Patrolman Kelly had been called to investigate a two-vehicle accident near the intersection of Van Houten Avenue and Paterson Street. While investigating the accident Patrolman Kelly arrested the driver for driving recklessly and for driving a vehicle without a license. He ordered the driver to drive the vehicle to the police station as he stood on the running board of the vehicle. The vehicle had traveled a short distance when it struck a truck pinning Patrolman Kelly between both vehicles and seriously injuring him. He was taken to General Hospital where his injuries were treated by doctors. While being treated by doctors Patrolman Kelly`s condition grew worse and he developed pneumonia and succumbed to his injuries less than two months later at the General Hospital.

The subject was taken to the Police Station by responding officers and was charged with driving a vehicle while intoxicated.

Patrolman Kelly served with the Paterson Police Department for 26 and a half years.

Survivors

He is survived by his, two daughters, and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NJ-16725592
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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

26 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Kelly gave the Paterson Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Paterson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kelly.

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

Agency

Department Paterson Police Department

Location Paterson, NJ

Platform Identity patepd.passaic.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 11, 1922

Tour of Duty 26 yrs 7 mo

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Patrolman James 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Paterson Police Department, 5 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this agency's fallen.

Paterson Police Department

of 11 officers

45.5% Felonious

NJ — Statewide

264

of 646 officers

40.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious