Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Kentucky Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber Offender: Not available
Special Agent Richard Kelly was shot and killed in the Illinois Central Railroad yards in Paducah, Kentucky, while searching a train for thieves.
He had observed a rope hanging over a boxcar that had entered the yards. He and two railroad workers opened the locked boxcar to inspect it but were surprised by several people inside. One of the occupants opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Special Agent Kelly in the chest. All of the subjects then fled the area on foot.
Investigators believed at the time that the men had entered the boxcar in another city to steal liquor but became trapped inside when the train suddenly moved and engaged an automatic lock on the door. It is not known if the suspects were ever apprehended.
Special Agent Kelly had previously served with the Paducah Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, infant daughter, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-C6E6556C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Kelly served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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 Richard Kelly is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, 10 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 83.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Kelly's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Kelly Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Kelly is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Kelly was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
