Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Joseph Kelly was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire after he surprised a subject who was attempting to steal a vehicle in the 200 block of Paoli Avenue. The 25-year-old suspect was apprehended 17 hours later in a hidden spot within sight of the crime scene. The night before, he shot and wounded a 72-year-old man and his 78-year-old wife as they were entering their apartment in Germantown. He had been released from prison three days earlier after serving a six-year term for burglary. The suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years. While in prison, the suspect and a second inmate were responsible for the stabbing murders of Warden Patrick Curran and Deputy Warden Robert Fromhold at Holmesburg Prison on May 31, 1973. Officer Kelly's murderer was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Warden Curran and Deputy Warden Fromhold. The second 26-year-old suspect, also sentenced to life, was already serving a life sentence for the murder of Sergeant Frank R. Von Colln of the Fairmount Park Police on August 29, 1970. On October 30, 1981, after a failed escape attempt, Officer Kelly's killer and three fellow inmates took three guards, three kitchen workers, and 29 inmates hostage at Graterford Prison. After several hours of tense negotiations, the hostages were released, and the four surrendered. As of June 20, 2020, both were in prison. Officer Kelly had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-EB264B25- 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.
Police Officer Kelly gave the Philadelphia Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph V. 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph V. Kelly's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph V. Kelly Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph V. Kelly is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph V. Kelly was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
