End of Watch September 6, 1989
Age 42
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
The Vigil Panel 135 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Border Patrol Agent Keith Connelly was shot and killed during an undercover investigation in Fresno, California. He and another agent were posing as employers offering cash to hire illegal immigrants in a convenience store parking lot at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Ashlan Avenue. As they attempted to make an arrest the suspects opened fire, wounding both agents. Agent Connelly later succumbed to his wound. The shooter pleaded guilty to murdering Agent Connelly. Agent Connelly had served with the United States Border Patrol for 18 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-E784CB39
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 Keith. 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Border Patrol Agent Connelly gave the United States Department of Justice 18 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Border Patrol Agent Connelly.

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

Agency

Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdjinsusbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 6, 1989
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Pleaded guilty

Border Patrol Agent Keith Connelly 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol, 15 of 68 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.1% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol
15
of 68 officers
22.1% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,419 officers
53.1% 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. Keith Connelly'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 Keith Connelly Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
18
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Pleaded guilty

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Keith Connelly is highlighted in Sep.

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. Keith Connelly was killed by gun; unknown type.

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

Incident Location