Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal William Kelley and Sheriff Edward McMartin, of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for murder. Sheriff McMartin had received information the man was at a home at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Sherman Way in Los Angeles. The two officers went to the home and spoke to the owner, who informed them the wanted man and an accomplice were staying in a shack in the backyard. When the suspect opened the door he recognized the officers and opened fire with a pistol, fatally wounding both. The man fled but committed suicide a short time later as officers surrounded him. Marshal Kelley had served in law enforcement for 44 years. He had previously served as sheriff of Dakota County, Nebraska, and as the United States Marshal for Nebraska. He was appointed Oxnard's first city marshal in 1898 and also held commissions as a constable and sheriff's deputy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-37AFD5D0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
44 years. You could have gone home.
City Marshal Kelley gave the Oxnard Police Department 44 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oxnard community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Kelley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal William E. Kelley is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,588 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 0.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At Oxnard Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Kelley's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Kelley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Kelley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Kelley was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oxnard Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
