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James A. Kelly, Jr.
Agency patch
Trooper

James A. Kelly, Jr.

New York State Police — Albany, NY
Felonious
United States flag New York flag
End of Watch August 8, 1980
Age 31
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 3621
The Vigil Panel 123 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 170

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

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-4E051E60
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

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

Department New York State Police
Location Albany, 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; Alcohol involved
Offender Not available

Trooper James A. Kelly, Jr. 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Police
29
of 171 officers
17% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James A. Kelly, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How James A. Kelly, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Kelly, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Kelly, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518